“Unions Would Not Be Weakened”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29539, 14 June 1961, Page 10

“Unions Would Not Be Weakened”

tKn> Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Jun* IS. Oniaenttnc today »n the Federattoe of Labour's ' statement that the proposed amendment* to the IndMtrtal Cmteiltattan and Arbitration Act were “riotous and repreedve’* and weald destroy the principle and spirit of eonciltaUen, the Minister of Labour (Mr Standi arid that the proposal* weald not seriously weaken the trade union movement. “The federation says that under the proposals an agreement concerning a preference clause made in Conciliation Council between employers and workers could be rejected by the Court which would render conciliation proceedings meaningless. The Court of Arbitration is a Court of law, and not a registration bureau. "The intention of toe clause should be clear enough. The Court will register any such agreement unless it has a real doubt as to toe good faith of toe parties. The discretion is only Intended to be exercised where to carry out the letter of the law may be to avoid the intention of the law. “The federation says only the strongest unions could get a preference clause which has any real meaning. Here again I think toe intention of the proposed legislation is clear. Wherever the employers agree to an unqualified preference clause, it will be incorporated. Where toe employers do not agree but the union can satisfy the Court that it is the will of a majority of the people employed in that part of the industry covered by the award, such protection will still be included. “If toe federation means that only those unions which are supported by the majority of toe people employed will be able to secure preference, then the statement is correct. It is my intention that unqualified preference to unionists or ‘union shop’ pro. visions shall only apply where it is the wish of the majority of those employed,” said Mr Shand. Under Consideration

“On toe question of giving individual employers the right to apply for exemption from any preference clause that may be written into an award, the Minister said that was a matter wfaiich was still under consideration but that toe position would be adequately safeguarded by the requirement that an employer would have to establish that not less than 50 per cent of his employees did not wish

to become member* of • union. “I feel.” said the Minister, "that this is toe only really con troverrial clause in toe proposed amendments and I would not deny that there is some validity in toe federation’s objections. “Regarding exemptions on consrtentioua grounds. I believe that toe slightly broader interpretation <sf ‘consrienp.ous grounds’ which has been accepted In Australia is fair and reasonable.” The Minister said there was need for some protection against union malpractice or abuse by unions of the protection given them by the act.

He said the practice had grown up in one or two unions of delegating to a firm of debt collectors toe collection of union subscriptions. “If men are to be compelled by a majority decision to contribute to toe funds of a union then they are entitled to some protection even though they are tn a minority,’’ said Mr Shand.

Artist lll.—The Australian artist. William Dobell, aged 61, was ill and in severe pain when he returned home by air today from Saigon. He is believed to be suffering from food poisoning.— (Darwin, June 12.)