COMPULSORY UNIONISM

Press, Volume C, Issue 29474, 28 March 1961, Page 8

COMPULSORY UNIONISM

View Of Drivers’ Federation fN.Z. Praia Asfociattori) WELLINGTON. March 27. Opposition to the Government's proposed abolition of compulsory unionism was pledged by the annual conference of the New Zealand Drivers’ Federation, according to a supplied report today. Following the Federation of Labour stand, and in line with the expressed views of many local branches of its own and other unions, the conference recommended that all its affiliates adopt immediately the principle and practice of the closed shop. The conference also decided to inform the Government that if section 174 of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act was altered, there must be a review of the whole act, and that any such review must be postponed to enable proper consideration to be given to the question. The abolition move would weaken the trade union movement, said the conference. Though this might only be temporary, it was at variance with the Government's statement that the abolition would assist trade unions. Finally, the conference resolved to co-operate with the Federation of Labour and all other unions to defend the existing trade union organisation and to build and strengthen the trade unions to meet the pend.ng attacks on New Zealand's industrial movement, said the supplied report.