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Challenge from the Left

John Benson, a stalwart from the Left, replies to John Ducker's views on the future of the labour movement.

The Labor Party is really going to the pack when the likes of this blown away old seaman are invited to address such an august body as are gathered here tonight. But then, on looking around at all these bright and honest faces, I recall the words of an old Irish shipmate, Paddy Renehan.

During the State election of 1953, in the port of Townsville, after the politically active members of the crew had been campaigning for the Labor Party ashore, we were holding a post mortem in the ship's mess room over a well earned cup of tea. Paddy, disturbed by our revelry came into the room and after looking us over summed up the situation with, "If the devil were to cast his net here, he'd make a fine catch.' The devil may have done so then, but methinks, he'd have better luck here tonight!

When I was asked to speak this evening, it occurred to me that it was a good time to rake over the coals and reminisce on the nights of Labor Council's meetings under the secretaryship of John Ducker. I mean, if I was of a suspicious nature, which I can assure you I am not, I might think that John Ducker's presence here was the result of some set-up, and that John had proposed me as some kind of sparring partner. Thank goodness that that thought never crossed my mind. Yet, here we are.

I came to Council in the early sixties. Meeting nights were occasions for fiery oratory and all too frequently examples of hostility and vindictiveness which lasted for years. For some, they may even continue today. The Right viewed the Left at best as 'Reds and Communist stooges'. The Left reciprocated with labels of 'Groupers' and Reactionaries. If bricks and mortar retain memory, those are two of the milder remarks which, over the years, must have provided the ghosts within the walls of Council with many a reflective chuckle.

One particular incident in the latter 60's comes to mind. I had recently returned from a visit to the Soviet Union and had received some publicity for a letter published in the Sydney Morning Herald. Therein I had criticised the Israeli occupation of Arab territories. What's new?

Prior to Council's meeting, a pleasant hour or so in the Star Hotel - the Left's sanctuary - had had its beneficial effect and I was whiling away Council's Question Time by nonchalantly throwing peanuts and catching them in my mouth.

Tommy Anthes, then Secretary of one of the Right's favourite unions, took the call and proceeded by way of query to pour a bucket over me as a lackey of the Soviet Union. I interrupt myself to once again dismiss any suggestion that Tommy acted under any coercion from Brother John.

I swear to this day that the peanuts stopped in mid-air. As it was only a question, there was no opportunity for me to reply. The response was entirely in the hands of the secretary, John Ducker. To John's credit, he let me down gently - well, as gently as the circumstances permitted in those torrid times.

Of course there were plenty of occasions when the issues were not so friendly.

But then again Labor Council is as close as we'll get to a Workers' Parliament. The thrust and parry of open debate, the wheeling and dealing in the background, the personalities and issues produced historic decisions and educated many competent orators, trade union leaders and politicians.

Their numbers are manifest and to name any would be to exclude some of the many veterans of the struggle who deserve no less acclaim than those who have enjoyed fame and, may it be said, fortune.

In the course of interest in international trade union affairs the Seamen's Union became keen supporters of the anti-war movement, particularly around Australia's involvement in Vietnam. As a result of those activities, the Union responded to an invitation and seconded me to a senior position in the World Peace Council, an anti-war organisation headquartered in Helsinki and active throughout the world.

For the moment, let us overlook the fact that the WPC had been 'blackballed' by Western propaganda. That still left millions of people outside the 'West' - and also many inside - who found common cause with the WPC. And so, in '79, I became an executive officer of that establishment.

If you wonder, "How on earth did an Australian come to get that job?" The answer is complicated.

The decision was made in the light of several circumstances. When the options came to the floor of the WPC, many viewpoints had to be considered. Delegates from anti-war organisations all over the world held strong opinions on who should, or should not, front for their Council.

Africa and Asia would not have anybody from the old colonial powers. Nor could they produce agreement to an individual from among themselves. Citizens of superpower countries were beyond the pale. On the religious side, the believers countries would not accept a non-believer. Nato was out, as was the Warsaw Pact members. By due process of elimination, countries and national organisations were dropped from the list.

Finally, it could be seen that Australia was in a unique position. Ex-colonial but emancipated, religiously broad-minded and, at least in the absence of our current Prime Minister, racially tolerant.

So, this Australian, snuggled down in antipodean isolation, fitted the general criteria and was packed off to Helsinki to an international role in world politics.

Time precludes any detailed reminiscences of that fascinating period but there followed several years of travelling, arranging and participating in meetings and conferences which embraced the world-wide spectrum of human endeavour. Trade unions of course, but also other mass groupings - national liberation, parliamentarians, women, religious sects and denominations, governmental and non-governmental, national and international organisations come to mind as examples of the breadth of the anti-war movement.

Working with the staff of an international body is a source of education also. The experiences of interpreters can be one source of delight. One story comes to mind of an historical meeting of the Big Three in Yalta in February 1945.

Stalin, wishing to exploit some differences between Churchill and Roosevelt chose to make a personal approach to the British leader. Joe invited Winston to dinner. The invitation was accepted and the Prime Minister was subjected to a banquet of Russia's best.

Over the after-dinner drinks, Uncle Joe put his Machiavellian scheme to Churchill who responded, not wishing to agree but also not wishing to offend, with the tactful comment that, "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak!'. The British interpreter gave his version to the Russian interpreter who then translated for Stalin.

Language being what it is, when the remark reached Stalin's ears it was, 'The wine's good but the meat's lousy!'

By the time 1990 brought an end to my career as a professional unionist I had come to several conclusions which have not been altered since then.

One is that the issues that arouse interest and emotions at labour meetings are reflected when and where workers meet anywhere in the world.

Another is that people are fundamentally the same the world over. If there is one aspiration shared throughout the world it is to be given a 'fair go'.

Finally, let me make some emphasis. The Labor Movement of today is a far cry from that of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. We thought it was tough then. And it probably was. But in those days trade unionism was a part of every working persons life. We lived it completely. Working, socialising, eating, drinking, partying - it was the dominant subject of our social communication.

Nowadays, it is almost a non-subject. Craftsmen and manual labourers are flattered into contract labour 'deals'. For the most part, the media relegates trade union affairs to secondary news.

In our day, we laughed when the US Secretary of State publicly planned to make all US citizens shareholders. Now, Australia leads the capitalist world in its proportion of shareholding citizens.

Of course, we can't turn the clock back. But the task of explaining the socialist cause has never looked so bleak. The challenges facing the new generation of Labor leaders are indeed awesome. But there is always a bright side. You have youth on your side. And the history of the world teaches us that the young have made the human spirit indomitable.

No matter your direction in life the lessons to be learnt in the labour movement will stand any aspiring leader in good stead. It would be foolish indeed to other than appreciate that the past didn't contain the elements of differences and divisions which some will take with them to their grave. That's unfortunate enough to be tragic. But then again, that's life. One thing to be learnt from Labor history must surely be that the unity of our movement is stronger than any issue which has divided us.

These are not just words of some mellowing old Leftie. I still absorb the news each day. I still cringe when I pick up such information gems as building a city-airport railway that doesn't provide for suitcases. And then produces clown-like ministerial statements such as 'If you don't like it, get a taxi!'

I still begrudge those in positions of power and privilege their excesses and arrogance. And I still look to the Labor Movement to right the wrongs of the world.

The single message to be drawn from my experience is that the voice of organised labour represents the finest aspirations of humanity. To be a leader in that force is an honour and a privilege. While each and every one of you are engaged on that path, may you be rewarded with every success.

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  Issue 59 contents

»	STOP PRESS: Get on Board Moves Virtual
»	Orange at Risk - Call for City's Help
»	Unions to Get Equity in New Computer Deal
»	Aussie Competition Laws Protect Fijian Terrorists
»	Union Rat Sinks Industrial Laws
»	Olympic Rail Deal Struck for Games Period
»	GST Fears for Union Delegates
»	No Cigars for Casino High Rollers
»	Frustration Boils Over Olympics Blowout
»	Support for Campaign Against TAFE Cuts
»	Private Sector Health Workers Seek Pay Equity
»	Bosses Hoist on Own Petard
»	Construction Industry Assists East Timor Training
»	AFL-CIO Leader to Address Congress
»	Full ACTU Congress Coverage on LaborNet

»	The Soapbox
»	The Locker Room
»	Trades Hall
»	Tool Shed

»	Freudian Slip
»	Volunteers in Policing
»	Tax Farce

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