Right wing routed in actors'

THE RIGHT WING in Actors' Equity led by Marius Goring was completely routed at this year's. anual general meeting.

Goring and his followers had two resolutions on the order paper seeking crucial rule changes. They were both deteated overwhelmingly.

Even the conservative Equity council was forced to declare itself and oppose the Goring It was Goring's attempt to change the rules regarding the calling of special general meetings which came in for a particular drubbing.

The resolution big financial onus on those wishing call the meetings and then left it up to the president to refuse the meeting if, *in his opinion, the motion is frivolous, vexatious, unnecessary'.

Opposing the resolution Stephen Sylvester, the retiring assistant general secretary, referred to some future president, possibly 'this expert', who might Clalll 'this divine right of president'. (Goring stars in a television series called "The Expert'.)

He said the effect of the rule change would be to hold members to 'punitive ransom'. He said the right to hold special general meetings was 'one of our most basic freedoms'.

The council believed that the members would throw out the Goring resolution. 'We don't believe you are so gullible as to accept this, he said. 'We believe you will treat this motion as it so deserves.' In replying to the discussion, Goring was clearly conscious of the tide of opinion against him.

He said the council of the union-to which he has just been returned topping the poll-had 'twice impugned me' during the conference. He said he very regretted this.

When someone interrupted and said the vote would show what members thought of his Tule changes, Goring snapped back: "The vote will show what this meeting thinks - which is very litec much for trade union democracy Goring-style!

It was the debate on the nationalization of the industry which completely flushed out the right wing, the Stalinists and the On behalf of 30 members, Malcolm Tierney moved that view of the totally unacceptable level of unemployment and continued contraction of theatres and studios, resolve, accordance with TUC policy the film industry adopted at the Blackpool conference, that the only solution to this crisis is the Lne entire entertainments industry under workers' control without compensation to its former owners' Pop goes the ultra THE Festival of Light is holding its own pop festival this weekend in Chingford just North of London. It will, however, be a festival with a difierence.

The unique event was originally planned • to take place on the Glebeland, Buckhurst Hill—which surrounds the home of Rector Rev Peter Casswell—on Spring Bank Holiday weekend, but the area was too small.

Another park has been found and cing to the programme, nil, accorumn, lo unc •roxianme. non attend a Youth for Jesus Festival.

There will certainly • be pop groups, but it is emphasized that they will be Christian as well as Equity general secretary Gerald Croasdell attacked the resolution because he claimed it was 'wildly remote from reality.

Declan Mulholland, who is known to sympathize with the Communist Party, said the resolution 'failed to take into account the membership of this union'. He said it was "pie in the sky' to suggest nationalization.

He called for unity and a determined fight against unemployment by 'the left, right and centre'. The resolution was defeated by 213 to 159 votes.

Tierney also introduced an emergency resolution calling for the union to terminate the new agreement with the BBC and to break off all contracts because of the BBC's latest policy of wage-cutting and speed-up.

Croasdell opposed the resolution saying there was 'a possibility of a settlement'. He said he had expressed the 'gravity of the situation' to the BBC and the BBC was 'considering the situation most urgently.

The resolution was defeated 158 to 144 votes.

The biggest blow to the right wing came in the discussion on the Industrial Relations Act.

The Equity Council decided to register without the consent of the members a few months ago. This sparked such antagonism in the rank and file that a special general meeting was summoned the Adelphi Theatre in The Strand.

At this packed meeting a deregistration move was defeated by several hundred votes. During the subsequent referendum Equity members again voted to register.

But at Sunday's meeting the mood of the membership showed a distinct change, which reflects very much the decisions by the industrial court on the railways and the docks and the belligerent attitude being adopted by the BBC.

The resolution, moved by Tom Kempinski, reaffirmed Equity's 'total opposition' to the right being professional groups. The programme notes do not make clear what a Christian group sounds like.

In addition to the music there will be lectures and discussions designed to 'examine and deepen : Il p.m., when the activities finish the girls will be packed off in a barn while the boys sleep in marquees or their own tents.

Christ is certainly expensive this year. Tickets for the weekend are going at £1.50 a time. There is unlikely to be a black market. Goring speaks It went on: We therefore call on the council of Equity to demand of the TUC that they carry out their responsibility or organize the entire trade union defeat the Act in its entirety, to This resolution was passed 330 to 200 votes.

It was at this point, late in the afternoon, that the Goring crowd received their most telling setback. Sniffing the times, the ladies with the blonde rinses and furs started to move out of the theatre.