Thursday, June 26, 2014

John Thivy Condemned for Blaming Labourers

“That this conference condemns the Agent of the Government of India for his irresponsible attitude during the settlement of the Klapa Bali and Lima Blas Estate by putting the blame on the labourers and supporting the management, although he knew pretty well that the demand submitted by the labourers were quite reasonable." 

Before we can dwell further on reasons why Representative of Government of India, Thivy, failed to make any impact in Ganapathy case and further failed to save Ganapathy from being sent to gallows, lets look at the paper cutting below taken from Singapore Free Press dated 2nd June 1948, that shall gives us the insight of John Thivy.
R.G Balan
After the arrest of R. Balan, who was regarded as the most capable labour union organiser in Malaya by many scholars, Planting Labourers' Union of Perak condemned John Thivy for siding the management of Klapa Bali and Lima Blas Estate even though Thivy understood well the plight of Indian labourers in these estates.
The condition of Indian labourers did not only angered the trade unions but also many British trade unionists who have visited Malaya. Government of India knew very well of the suffering endured by their own race in Malaya, yet in many cases took sides with British imperialist.  Ganapathy was just a pawn in India-British political game and having John Thivy as Representative of Government of India in Ganapathy's case surely was not to favour PMFTU. 
John Thivy

 
 

Singapore Free Press
2nd June 1948
Indian Govt. Agent is criticized
Free Press Correspondent
IPOH, Tuesday.

The Agent of the Government of India, Mr.Thivy, was attached by the Planting Labourers’ Union of Perak, who yesterday “condemned” the Federation Government for the arrest of their president. Mr.R.Balan.
The resolution reads as follows:
“That this conference condemns the Agent of the Government of India for his irresponsible attitude during the settlement of the Klapa Bali and Lima Blas Estate by putting the blame on the labourers and supporting the management, although he knew pretty well that the demand submitted by the labourers were quite reasonable.
The “condemnation” apparently was in connection with Mr.Thivy’s visit to Lima Blas estate on Saturday night.
On the occasion, he was reported to have held discussion with the management and the labourers. He was then stated to have been of opinion that some of the demands made by the striking labourers were unreasonable.

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