STORMY MEETING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20115, 8 December 1939, Page 11

STORMY MEETING

CITY SHOP WORKERS INVESTMENT REFUSED FUNDS OF THE UNION LABOUR DAILY PAPER (For Pross Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Strong determination to have a voice in their own affairs was shown by the rank and file members of the Wellington Shop Assistants’ Union last night, when an ! exceptionally stormy meeting developed from a proposal to invest £2,000 of the union funds in the proposed Labour daily newspaper. After a heated discussion, with occasional pandemonium, the proposal was overwhelmingly rejected. According to members present the meeting was a special one called for the purpose of discussing this specific subject. Some time ago a general meeting decided to invest £2OOO as proposed, and, at a subsequent meeting, a notice of motion was tabled to rescind the decision and so last night’s meeting was called. Threat of Fines Resentment was aroused by the executive at the outset by a paragraph in a circular letter calling the meeting and threatening to impose a fine of Is on every member who did not attend. It is estimated that 400 to 450 were present. One speaker who supported the proposal was counted out, and a vote of no-confidence was passed in the chairman who left the chair but was later allowed to return. It was alleged at the outset that the meeting was unconstitutional. The executive had been instructed by the previous general meeting to take a postal ballot on the question, but it had neglected to do this on the ground that it would cost £BO. Many spoke at once and the loudest voices were heard. When the chairman attempted to speak there were cries of “Hitlerism. What do you want a newspaper for? You already have control of the radio.” Time Not Opportune Later, the chairman, when he saw that the meeting was overwhelmingly against the proposal, announced that he thought now was not the time to establish a Labour paper. It would cause such a depletion of the sterling funds to buy £50,000 worth of machinery that the Government would be embarrassed.

Finally, a motion to rescind the resolution was put and, on a show of hands, was overwhelmingly carried.

When these happenings were referred to the union secretary, Mr. W. H. Croskery, he said the meeting was a good one, well attended and well conducted. Everybody obeyed the chair. It was full of interest and everything was thoroughly discussed. He declined to discuss the business for which the meeting was called, but when told that the stormy proceedings had been reported, lie simply commented: “That is not true.” More than that, he would not say.