COMPULSORY UNIONISM

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29354, 5 November 1960, Page 14

COMPULSORY UNIONISM

Danger Seen In Abolition (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, Nov. 4. There would be a grave danger of Communists getting control of trade unions if compulsory unionism were abolished, the Minister of Labour (Mr Hackeitt) told about 90 electors at Kingsland last night. "I can’t understand who thought out that National Party plank.” he said. "The employers don’t want it and the workers don’t want it.” Mr Hackett said that when the idea was suggested before, deputations from both the Employers' Association and the Federation of Labour opposed it. Before compulsory unionism was introduced, there had been a form of it, in that membership of a union was often a condition of employment, or preference was given to unionists. “Someone has to negotiate on the employees’ behalf,” he said. “Is it fair that 30 per cent, should pay all the expenses for an office and a secretary to get wage increases which the other 70 per cent, will enjoy?” If compulsory unionism were abolished, said Mr Hackett, there would be a danger of those “who are so ardent in their fervour for a certain political party” gaining control.