National Party Supports “Partnership With Management”

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 5, 29 June 1949, Page 4

National Party Supports “Partnership With Management”

Wellington, June 28.

“The National Party had nothing but good will for and interest in the welfare of the genuine Trade Union movement and its members,” said Mr W. J. Sim, K.C., president, addressing the annual cbnfer'ence of the National Party yesterday. In New Zealand, as in Britain, the trade unions had fought a long battle with the employers, and their successes, but even more so their co-operation with them had resulted in steadily rising standards' for the workers. “I borrow from another on this topic: ‘Then,’ he says, addressing the Trade Unionists, ‘you-were mad enough to dissipate your prestige by making common cause with one political party, the Socialists, who came to power with your financial and voting support. They then began to nationalise everything they could lay their hands on, and your power and authority began to decline, as it has done in every country, where socialism plays the stooge to Communism or Fascism. With one employer, what place was there for trade unionism, except as an institution for keeping records?’ “Our fight is not with the trade unionists,” said Mr Sim, “but v/ith the socialists, and in .particular the left wing of socialism, in - and out of Parliament.” V : - National Party’s Pledge

The National Party believed in a strong trade union movement, providing that it did not assume that it was more powerful than the nation itself. When the National Party became the Government it would restore the trade, unions’ position and give every encouragement to partnership with* .fhanagement. It Would look to the trade unions and management •to work out, in full co-operation, a system in which security would be augmented by opportunity, and a satisfying working partnership replace the mistrust . and suspicions of the past. The National Party invited the trade unions'; to take the first step in this election yfear, 1949, by breaking off from and rejecting the reckless Socialist-Communist inspired leaders who had played such havoc with their movement. To ensure to unionists freedom of expression in their 'own "affairs the National Party had vigorously advocated the institution of the secret ballot under proper supervision, and if the Party became the Government, this would certainly be carried out.