Govt firm on union polls

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34151, 12 May 1976, Page 3

Govt firm on union polls

i GN.Z. Press Assoctafton) l WELLINGTON, May 11 The Government did not look upon voluntary i unionism as a major [plank of industrial rela[tions at present, the [Minister of Labour (Mr Gordon) told the Auckland Chamber of Commerce today "It is an issue of principle, and the Government will see it through, but in fact it is only a matter of the degree of faith in democracy — one in which a will be taken .mongst m.erested people and the will of the majority will prevail.” He said the deliberate efforts of certain people for propaganda reasons to stir

the issue into a confrontation was not the desire nor the wish of the Government. “It is not a question of the Government’s wanting to bash down all trade unions. The very opposite prevails.” Of last week's Federation of Labour conference, he said he failed to find a logical reason for the proposed dis ruptions that emanated from some speeches. “The proposals indicate a lack of awareness, a lack of responsibility, and a lack of confidence in the administration of the trade union movement that makes up the heart of the Federation of Labour. “I have a lot more confidence in the trade union movement and the F.O.L. than seemingly a lot of delegates had while they were inside the Wellington Town Hall last week,” Mr Gordon said.

Unemployment prospects were not causing alarm; the situation was better than preelection forecasts had predicted and also forecasts made immediately after the General Election. But lay-offs of seasonal workers would hit the country about the end of this month.

The president of the F.O.L. (Sir Thomas Skinner) said in Auckland today that the Government’s plans for ballots on voluntary unionism would do nothing to increase production, reduce unemployment, or counter inflation. “They know not what they do — and this at a time when good industrial relations are needed,” said Sir Thomas. Nonsense was being talked about bringing democracy into the trade-union movement. “Our objection is the planned interference of the State by running ballots and in State-run unions. “There’s still compulsion: —if you vote not to belong to a union you still have to pay fees into a State advocacy service.” Reviewing the recent F.O.L. conference. Sir Thomas said in his 13 years as president he had not presided over a more unified movement, not one more determined to oppose the Government. “It wasn’t just a conference of pious resolutions; people who don’t normally speak up or push were making themselves heard. They could see the dead hand of the State taking over the trade-union movement.” Sir Thomas said he considered the next year would be the most critical and most active he had faced as head of the F.O.L. “I was always taught that before you go into battle you have adequate troops,” he said. “Well there’s nothing wrong with the troops at the moment.”