FEDERATION OF LABOUR WANTS TO HANDLE DISPUTE

Chronicle (Levin), 9 March 1949, Page 6

FEDERATION OF LABOUR WANTS TO HANDLE DISPUTE

Press Association)

(Per

WELLINGTON, March 8. ",ks the result of representations from a number of our "affiliations, the national executive of the Federation of Labour met today and gave careful consideration to the trend of events arising out of the Dominion Carpenters' dispute," stated the secretary of the federation, Mr. K. Baxter. "A resolution passed by the Auckland Trades Council on March 4 was also considered. "The national " executive desires to point out that the Auckland Trades Council exceeded its authority under the constitution of the Federation of Labour wlien it purported to direct and control in the carpenters' dispute, the aCtion of national unions. In order to clear the air, the national executive de-

sires to point out that the New Zealand carpenters' dispute is a national dispute and in terms of the constitution of the Federation of Labour, if the Carpenters' Union desires our assistanee it is obliged to hand over the dispute to the Federation of Labour. My national executive has consequently passed the following rJsolution which , will be directed to the national officials of the Carpenters' Union: 'That in view of the fact that your dispute has now involved other unions of workers and the likelihood of the dispute extending and involving the whole of our affiliations, we request the officials of the '■ New-JZealand Carpenters ' Union to hand over the dispute immediately to the national executive of the Federation of Labojir to endeavour to effect a settlement.? "It has also come to our notice that a body calling itself the 'aetion committee' is usurping the functions not only of the Auckland Trades Council but also of the national council and national executive of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. We are therefore compe'lled, in the interests of our affiliations, to call upon thein not to recognise or accept advice or couforrr. to decisions issued by this body which is usurping the functions of the Auckland Trades Council."