STRIKE BALLOTS BILL STILL OPPOSED

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25275, 29 August 1947, Page 6

STRIKE BALLOTS BILL STILL OPPOSED

Decision Of Federation Of Labour Council

RESOLUTION CARRIED BY 12 VOTES TO 11

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 28. The National Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour remains adamant in its objection to that section of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill which provides for the taking of compulsory secret ballots where strikes or lock-outs are contemplated. The council discussed the amendment for an hour and a half this morning with the Minister of Labour (Mr A. McLagan). The secretary of the federation (Mr K. McL. Baxter) reported afterwards that the council had decided to continue adamant in its objection to section 8 of the bill concerning strikes and reiterated its previous decision to oppose this section for the following reasons:— “(1) The council disapproves of the introduction of industrial legislation affecting workers without prior consultation with the Federation of Labour. “(2) The council considers it is the traditional right of the trade union movement to manage its own affairs without political intetference. “(3) There is sufficient legislation on the Statute Books in New Zealand giving the Government all legal powers necessary to take action against individual strikers or unions without the introduction of further conflicting legislation.” Mr Baxter said this policy had been adopted by 12 votes to 11.