ATTITUDE TO WAR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20125, 20 December 1939, Page 11

ATTITUDE TO WAR

WEST COAST UNIONS TRADES COUNCIL OPPOSED UNPOPULAR RESOLUTION , Two more unions on the West Coast, the railway and harbour board employees, have joined the State Coal ■ Miners, and Dredge Workers’ Unions in repudiating the action of the West Coast Trades and Labour Council, which recently described the war us "another Imperialist struggle." The council had also called on the Government to explain why .New Zealanders were expected to fight and to give a definite assurance that conscription would not be introduced.

The Greymouth branch of the Amalgamated Society of .Railway Servants decided: "That this meeting dissociates itself from the war resolution passed by the West Coast Trades and Labour Council. Further, we are of the definite opinion thal when a far-reaching resolution of this nature is to be brought before the council, we should be notified in advance. Our representative was not present at the last meeting of the council and therefore we, as a workers' organisation with a membership of 450. did not vote on the question."

At a largely-attended meeting of the Greymouth Harbour Board Employees’ Union the following resolution was carried: "That we dissociate ourselves from the resolution passed at the last meeting of the West Coast Trades and Labour Council in regard to war. and pledge our whole-hearted support to the Government in its war effort." The meeting also instructed its delegate on the council strongly to support the rescinding of the offending resolution at the next meeting of the council on Saturday evening.