REPLY TO CRITICISM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 266, 22 August 1936, Page 8

REPLY TO CRITICISM.

COMPULSORY UNIONISM. • GOVERNMENT MISREPRE- . SENTED.” (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 21. The Minister for Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) referring to the Grand Orange Lodge’s statement, said that the resolution was merely a string of misleading generalities, cunningly grafted on to three mis-state-ments, with the object of misrepresenting the Labour Government. It was not correct to say without qualification that citizens could not obtain employment without registering as a member of a union. In any employment not covered by an award or industrial agreement, no worker could, be compelled to join a union. A union could not be formed in any industry except by the will of the employees themselves. The insinuation about “a suggestion that it should be made compulsory by decision of unions for all unionists to contribute to the funds of the Labour Party” was singularly stupid. .The Political Disabilities Removal Rill said that the funds of certain societies might he applied in furtherance of political objects if the majority of the members so decided.. If a society invoked this authority, it could devote its funds to assisting the political party of its choice.

Those responsible for drafting the statement would have done well first to have perused the legislation they sought to condemn, added the Minister. If they had read, it, the terms of the statement could only he regarded as deliberate misrepresentation.