Stormy Proceedings

Chronicle (Levin), 21 May 1949, Page 6

Stormy Proceedings

Press Association!

(Per

WELLINGTON, May 20. - An oiiicial report suppiied by the. conference on the earpenters' dispute stated that late in the afternoon,_F. Crook, secretary of the United Mine, "WbrkerS '■ Lniou, said his union wa'nted.;frlom, the Federation an interpretatio.h of the resolution adopted during the morning on the motion of Mr. Barnes. Mr. F. P. Walsh, who was acting cnairman, said he would interpret the resoiution adopted during the morning to mean that the whole resources of the trade union movement were to be placed behind the Auckland earpenters' organisation. In the terms used in the resoiution that could mean only a general stoppage of work. If the language of the resoiution meant anything it meant a direct ehallenge to the Government. Mr. P. M. Butler (General Labourers) said that in view of the very serious interpretation given he would move that the matter be recommitted. - The official report continued: "This was greeted with quite a big scene, and the only statement the conference press ugent could hear clearly from the platLorm was: 'fcjharpley was only a baby in arms comxiared with some of you'. " Mr. Butler continued, the report said, that in the lunch hOur many delegates asked him if he knew what the resoiution meant, and he agreed fully with the interpretation Mr. Walsh had just gi\ en. Mr. Butler said the constitution laid it down that the Federation carried out tlie policy laid down by the annuai conference. This conference in the resoiution adopted earlier was now telling the national executive that they must put their full resources behind the Carpenters' Union. If the delegates wanted that then they would not vote for a reeommittal of the question, but if they did 110 want it they would vote for reeommittal. An attempt was being made by the resoiution carried that uiorning to pull, wool over the delegates' eyes. The first part of the resoiution was quite clear, but the seeond part meant that the conference had dei eided to do everything Drennan, Stanley and Sid Scott decided. At this statement, said the official report, there was uproar. Mr. J. R. Scott (Electrical Workers' Union, Wellington) told the conference that if a strike came every deiegate would be without heat and power. if reeommittal was not agreed to then It was inevitably a vote of no-confidence in the executive and the conference would be the laughing stock^ of New Zealand. Again, said the official report, there was uproar. Mr. A. Mitchell (Auckland watereiders) objeeted to the proposal to recoinmit the resoiution. He said the mover of the original motion (Mr. Barnes) was not in the hall to reply, having left that afternqon by iraia for

Auckland. Mr. ButlSjr 's motion for a. reeommittal of the resoiution was carried by 17 1 votes to 85. Mr. Butler then moved the ' tsecond part of t'he resoiution adopted in the morning, namely: "That the Federation places all its , strength and resources behind the bona fide union" be deleted. He said delegates ' could trust the executive. The official report added that there was no deoate and the motion that .the question be put was then carried. Mr. BuLeX'V motiop 'was then submitfced' to the conference aird carried-'"1 a'm'iql great app'iause ' by 206 Vote^'tG ' - 5 ' '.o bo'Fi -tii ; The- -official rep.orfe!said:43/*;f At-oiifiip Btnge -.'ihbre 'thjah. 330 iwatersi'ders,',;'caiipefnters' ahd,.Sfreie?3hg woj-kersi'j.d^ifj-gates. .walked uut,' being » ro.hndly-,;aip-plauded. as th"eyr left the, ha.IL The. fiaal resoiution of .the conference -stood ,as follows: 'In no circumstaii'ces wii) this eonference reeognise- a scab Union i '• ^ rWie °bfficiaf r epbrB\&Se3 tha^'a^'Mr. Butler spoke a visitor to the conference passed insulting remarks- about ;"Mm. The watersidef^r conHnued thTe*" fepQrt, had a visitor'-I)? .deie^atei^resent froin every port in^New ^ealand, .^.fter tl(e resolutl(5itiJ Vii 'beeu- dealt- with .Mr. WarLh'tbse to-say ttfat'Lthe^h^nferkiice took" tie strongest ' obye'etion 'L'fo; : • such action and move'd that'it be referrecL to the exedutive'- to take' up '..•with1' i the Waterside Union.- executive;. He - saia "a big gang came in for' a specilic purpose." It was an old tactic of 'the Coinmunist Party to bring in visitors. Mr. Butler moved that Mr. Walsh 's resoiution be withdrawn, but the conference would not allow it to be withdrawn, and it was carried. The conference pledged its support to the Labour Government and endorsed seetions of the report dealing with relations with the Government. No 'time was available for dealing with remits, all of whieh were referred to the national executive.