Labour Support for "Open Forum" Broadcasts

Chronicle (Levin), 18 June 1948, Page 3

Labour Support for "Open Forum" Broadcasts

WELLINGTON, June 17. To express appreciation of tlie institution of tlie "Open Forum' ' broudcasts but to seek an Traprovement of theni from the trade union point of vievv, the president (Mr. . A. W. Oroskery), the vice-president (Mr. F. P. Walsh) and tlie secretary (Mr. K. Mc.L. Baxter) of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, will approach the Government. The National Executive of the Federation has made this deeision after considering proposals from a committee of the recent annual conference in Dunedin. A remit to the conference from the New Zealand Waterside Worlcers' Union proposed that in view of the b'ederation 's inability to obtain Government approval for trade union sessions on the radio, the Federation give urgent and serious consideration to the establishihent of a trade union station. The committee of the conference did not adopt this remit. It expressed agreement with the Government 's policy of not allowing privately-owned radio stations to operate and reeommended that the conference express its appreciation at the institution of 1 ' Op,en Forum" broadcasts and urged that tke National Executive- seek an extension of this service and' additional sessions for union organisations, ' The National Executive has endorsed these proposals and decided further to aslt the Government "that where questions affocting workers are to be discussed the Federation be asked to appoint represehtatives and that more attention be given to discussions from the floor during broadcasts. "