DIRECT ACTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 151, 29 June 1939, Page 12

DIRECT ACTION.

INDUSTRIAL MOVES.

GOVERNMENT WARNS.

LEGISLATION INTENDED

MR. WEBB'S STRAIGHT TALK. Hy Telegraph.—Vnrll»m*nrnry R^portor.) \YF,LI,IXUTOX. thi* day. A pointed warning that the Government will nut tolerate methods ut present being adopted liv * m inus indn--t.rial organisation* in dealing with industrial disputes «ns issued I>\ I In* Minister of I/Rl>our. linn, I', Webb, today. The Mini*tcr made it clear tlmt the lioveTiiinent expect* industrial organisations to accept decisions nf the \rbi ligation Court unconditionally. He al-o pave an iudicat ion ut' the Government's intention to bring down legislation of a disciplinary rial lire. "The (iovei niiienl. %iews with grave (concern methods that are being adopted variolic orga ni*a tions in industrial disputes," said Mr. Webb. "In accord--11 nee with its pre-election promises the Government. restored the provisions of the Industrial (Joneiliation and Arbitration Act, 1925, relating to compulsory arbitration, and also provided for compulsory membership of industrial unions.

"It should he understood that accepting of benefits provided by the Governncnt under the Industrial Conciliation I tnd Arbitration Act necessarily implies idoption of the machinery therein pre-•cri-bed (or the settlement of industrial lisputes and unconditional acceptance >f decisions of the Court on matters hat cannot he 1 settled" by agreement of •he parties ia Conciliation Council. "The adoption of direct action by •ither waiters or employer* i* -absontely contrary to the principles of con•iliation and arbitration. The Governnont cannot agree that where the ile•isions of constitutional tribunals are lot acceptable to either party, such >arty is entitled to refuse to abide l>v uch decisions' and resort to direct •ftion to attain its objective. "Organisations' must decide whether hey wish to have the conciliation and trbitratiotf .system, with its attendant lenefits, 0r #> whether they wish to be >utside the Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and have the right to -•csort to difwt action.

"They cannot have both, and I may »ay that t)M Government proposes to ntroduce legislation which will have the •ffect of settling th* question for those irganisatiotuf. which will not decide the matter for themselves."