The rule of law

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33581, 9 July 1974, Page 12

The rule of law

Sir, — The current test of the New Zealand people has been a real victory for the people’s common sense. Many more people have expressed well-founded dismay and publicly objected to being hoaxed into offending fellow-citizens, by striking, than is usual. People are thinking. Assuming , that the democratic secret vote is considered an essential part of the law compelling workers to join unions, I think, Mr Kirk should be prepared to demand that any union official calling for disruption “produce the box,” I meaii a sealed voting box, containing the result of a secret vote, verified by say polling clerks, sealed and taken to the House of Representatives for lf proven the union makes a stronger point. If only a hoax, then the country and the rank and file unionist would be spared another disaster. Better background information through the news media will also help. — Yours, etc., BOY SCOUT. July 8, 1974.

Sir, — The historic struggle between capital and labour is an integral, ineradicable feature of capitalist society. It is a fondly cherished, legalistic fiction that the law stands above society, impartially dispensing justice to all, regardless of class. On the leader page of Wednesday, July 3, under the heading,

"Government’s powers,” three classic examples from New Zealand’s industrial history are cited, of the use towards the capitalist class, specifically against the working class, or sections of it The present fight of the unions against the use of civil legal injunctions in industrial conflicts, but continues their long struggle against the law’s perversion to the end of serving the interests of the employing class, a policy which in the past has enjoyed fleeting, ephemeral successes, but the economic, social and political survival of the workingclass guarantees its longterm mure, r- Youfs, etc. M. C. H. July 6, 1974.

Sir, — The F.O.L. should have more women members. What a spectacle to see the mid d 1 e-aged “Palestinian Front” roaming the streets and chanting student-level slogans The worst aspect of last week’s circus was the threat to government by consent. A more authoritarian system would fall heavily on trade unions, white collar as well as blue. The notion that a political crisis cannot happen here will not save them — or us. Either the unions accept a slower rate of improving their standard of living or

accept a system of incomes restraint within the law of the land. The Labour Party was elected as the official government. It is time it gave a lead and clipped the ambitions of the hawks of Trades Hall. — Yours, etc., NOVEMBER 75. July 8, 1974.