Trades Councils Must Only Support Labour Party

Chronicle (Levin), 28 May 1949, Page 5

Trades Councils Must Only Support Labour Party

WELLINGTON May 27. It has been laid down by the Federation of Labour that it is not permissable for any trades council to give financial support to any politieal party other than the Labour Party. This point is set out in an official statement issued by Mr. K. Baxfar, secretary of the Federation. The national exeeutive of the Federation 's statement says it was decided on September 22 that "it shall not be within thq province of any •trades council to grant or recommend fhe rendering of financial or other support to any politieal party other than that to which the' "annual conference had pledged its support." At the annual conference o-f the Federation last week it was also agreed to "ca.il upon affiliated unions to abide by this decision." As the Federation of Labour has pledged its support to the New Zealand Labour Party and the Labour Government any financial or other support to the National Party or Oommunist Party will be combated in trade unions and trades councils. Mr. Baxter also stated that a cablegram had been received by the national exeeutive of the Federation from the British Trade Union Congress inviting representatives to attend a conference at Geneva on'June 25 and 26 to consult on and explore the possibility of setting up a? tree democratic trade union international organisation.