2 The following statement is being circulated very widely in the trade union movement: " We are writing as individual trade unionists who are deeply concerned about the question of Vietnam, to urge you to support the enclosed statement regarding the admission of spokesmen of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam to this country. Once before, in August 1965, : three representatives of the National Liberation Front proposed to visit this country, to speak at "teach-ins" on Vietnam in several towns. On that occasion the government would not issue visas for these men. We believe that the continued escalation of the war creates an urgent situation in which the people of this country should be allowed to hear = the views of the Front. Other sections of the public will be making a similar appeal to the one which we address to you. We believe, however, that it is especially necessary and right for the trade unions to speak out for the right of free speech, since our movement has always been closely associated with the creation and preservation of the democratic values on which that principle is based. , Please make every effort to collect the maximum number of signatures on the enclosed form, and return it to us at the above address at your earliest convenience. Please note that the appeal may be signed either by individual trade unionists, or on behalf of branches, trades oouncils, and other trade union bodies. The completed petition will be publicised by an advertisement in the national press. In order to do this, we need money. Please send us a contribution towards the costs of this publicity. For your guidance, it will cost us approximately ten shillings for every name which we print with the petition.
Yours sincerely,
Lawrence Daly, (General Secretary, Scottish N.U.M.)
J. W. Jones, (General Executive Council, T. & G.W.U.)
Ernie Roberts, (Assistant General Secretary, A.E.U.)
A.J.Topham, (Secretary to the Free Speech Petition.)
Copies of the statement and the petition can be obtained from: Free Speech Campaign (T.U. section), 12, Sunnybank, Hull. The organisers would like very much to hear from trade unionists at all levels, and to be put in touch with trade unionists. A similar campaign is to be organised amongst academic circles. So far Malcolm Caldwell, Ralph Miliband, John Westergaard and others are — sponsoring the campaign. Anyone who would like to help in this should write Free Speech Campaign (Academic Section), 71, Onslow Gardens, London N. 10. Telephone: TUD 0578.