Economic Self Reliance

Examples of such remits are' that the NZ Federation of Labour call on Government to re-establish the principle of a South Pacific Nuclear free zone; that the NZ FoL advocate and represent the view that the only solution to the present economic crisis in New Zealand is the en-couragement of economic self-reliance through the establishment of an independently based heavy and machine tools industry, using our resources for the benefit of New Zealanders and being independent of all foreign powers, and reject in any form the Government and employers' solution to the economic crisis of cutting real wages.

During discussion of a remit opposing the despoliation of New Zealand fishing grounds by big powers it was noted that only a consistent policy of self reliance (such as no National or Labour government has ever been prepared to undertake) will begin to solve New Zealand's economic problems. On the same remit it was also pointed out that the Soviet fishermen did not come here to get a sun tan and that it was ridiculous to co-operate with such countries.

Another move to actually grapple with real problems facing working people was the donation by some unions of sums of money to the Kawerau workers.