LET'S BE FRIENDS AGAIN

Chronicle (Levin), 16 August 1949, Page 5

LET'S BE FRIENDS AGAIN

WELLINGTON, August 15. Hope that the national executive oi' the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Union which meets in Wellington tomorroiY., will make it possible for tlir Federation of Labour to resume collaboration with the union, is expressed in a letter sent last week to the secretary of the union (Mr T. Hill), by the sec- ; r'etarv of the federation (Mr K. McL Baxter). The letter was sent in an ef fort to tinalise the differences between the federation and union and to resume normal harmonious relations between the two bodies. Tn March the national executive oi the Federation of Labour demanded an apologv for and withdrawal of a letter sent by the national executive of the union. After considerable discussion on tlie question at the annual conferenc* of tlie fedration in May, the nationa' president of the union, Mr H. Barnes, stated that he was prepared to reeom mend to his executive that they with* draw the letter, and express regret. ' ' A considerable time has passeri since your president gave the confer ence that assuranee and it is reasonablc to assume that your national executive has now considered his 'recommenda tion," says Mr Baxter who added that he would be pleased to receive advicc that the letter had been withdrawjy and regret expressed. He had ao doubt that it was tlie sincere desire of waterside workers that normal relationship with th.e fed^al body be reinstated, said Mr Baxter. A copy of the letter was sent today to all trade eouucils and affiliations so that they could be apprised of the po sition as it now stood and' because the national executive of the federation felt suro that they were all coneerned about the breach of relationships. The federation executive hoped that the national executive of the union would give-consid-eration to the letter at its meeting this week and that its reconunendatioii.-? would be implemented.