COMPULSION IN UNIONISM

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25082, 14 January 1947, Page 5

COMPULSION IN UNIONISM

PROBLEM FACED IN AUSTRALIA DECISION FOR FEDERAL CABINET (From Our Own CorresDondcnt.) SYDNEY. Jan. fl. The Australian Federal Cabinet will hold its first meeting of 1947 on January 16 and observers believe that it is almost sure to consider that thorny question—the introduction of compulsory unionism throughout Australia. The Australian Council of Trades Unions is in favour of making unionism compulsory among the workers in all organised industry. For some time it has been pressing the Government to translate this wish into a law. Some federal ministers feel that the Chifley Government would lose much middle class support if it forced a compulsory unionism bill through Parliament, which is timed to begin its next sitting about the middle of February. Yet a clear majority in Cabinet for compulsory unionism seems likely. The Opposition, particularly the Country Party, is expected violently to oppose it Labour members are already oiling their guns for the battle and they have in readiness for the debate the following extract from Hansard of November 6. 1941: Mr Rosevear (Labour, Dailey): Is the Rt. Hon. Gentleman in favour of compulsory unionism? The Federal Opposition Leader, Mr Menzies (then a private member): I am prepared to consider it very favourably indeed. I belong to a good trade union myself, although I must say that it stipulates skill on the part of its members. Mr Menzies is a barrister.