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Chronicle (Levin), 13 August 1949, Page 6

WELLINGTON, August 12. ' ' I am quite satisfied that if individual members of the Watersido Workers' Union are given the democratic riglit iri a secret baliot to express their own opinion on this vital question the result will be overwhelmingly m favour of retaining affiliation with the Labour Party, ' ' said Mr A. J. McDonald, secretary of the Labour Party tonight. He said hisattention had beeu drawn to the deeision of the Auckland braneh of the Waterside Workers' Union to recommend to their national office that the union withdraw its affiliation from the New Zealand Labour Party. He also noted that there was a strong dissenting opinion to the recommendation. "It must be obvious that this move has been inspired by certam individuals who have no Iove for the present Government and who are prepared at every opportunity to cause political embarrassment to the Labour Government,' said Mr McDonald. "The Labour Party has in the past studiously avoided any interference in industrial matters. However, when industrial disputes are to be used as an excuse to intimidate members of any particular union into withdrawing support from the movement, then the interests of the party and the thousands of workers it reoresents must be safeguarded. "

Mr McDonald said that in spite. of misleading statements to the contrary members of the Waterside Workers' Union together with their fellow trade unionists throughout the Dominion knew full well the outstanding progress achieved under the Labour Govern ment. Wages, amenities and conditions of work had progressed to a standard unknown before Labour came into povver. As the recommendation made by the Auckland braneh of the union would alfect every waterside worker in the country he was conlident that if the leaders of the organisation refused to grant their mebers the right to exereise a secret vote on such an important matter the members themselves would assert their loyalty to the party by demanding the privilege be extended to them.