MASS DEPUTATION

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 22, 26 July 1945, Page 8

MASS DEPUTATION

TRADES COUNCIL DECISION

The following statement was made today by Mr. F. P. Walsh, president of the Wellington Trades Council:— "At a largely-attended meeting of delegates to the Wellington Trades Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour held last evening, the proposal of the Dominion Council of Co-ordinated Business Associations to organise a mass deputation to Parliament, representing 'all opposed to National Socialism,' was considered, and the meeting decided to participate in the demonstration. The Labour movement is in whole-hearted agreement with the Co-ordinated Business Associations in their opposition to imposing on the people of this country National Socialism and Fascism. "They reaffirm their firm belief m democracy and our Parliamentary institution, which the British Commonwealth of Nations upheld at considerable sacrifice of men and materials against the imposition of National Socialism and Fascism, and all that they stand for. and pledge their wholehearted support to the Government to maintain and protect our democratic parliamentary system of government. "Assurances were given by the representatives of the affiliations to the Trades Council that their members would turn out in their thousands to the demonstration, which is to be held at 10.45 a.m. on Thursday, August 2. We expect at least 10,000 trade unionists to take part in the demonstration. "In order that the transport workers will be able to participate in the demonstration, transport in the city will unavoidably be tied up during the time the demonstration takes to place their views before Parliament. Employers, however, cannot object to this, nor can they object to their workers ceasing work, and joining with them in this all-important demonstration.'