GOVERNMENT TO ACT

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 233, 30 June 1939, Page 10

GOVERNMENT TO ACT

Unions Which Resort To Illegal Strikes

LEGISLATION THIS SESSION

No Right To Direct Action,

Minister Says

CONTRARY TO PRINCIPLE OF ARBITRATION

An announcement that the Government proposes to introduce legislation to deal with organizations which resort to strikes in contravention of the law was made by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb, yesterday. The Minister said that the parties concerned in award proceedings had the advantage of the Court of Arbitration- as an arbitrator and could not claim the right to direct action. They had no right to both courses, and the Government proposed to introduce legislation this session settling the question for organizations that would not settle it for themselves.

“The Government views with grave concern the methods that are being adopted by various organizations in regard to industrial disputes,” Mr. Webb said. “In accordance with its pre-elec-tion promises, the Government restored the provisions of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1925, relating to compulsory arbitration, and also provided for the compulsory membership of industrial unions of workers. Settlement of Disputes. “It should be distinctly understood, however, that the acceptance of the benefits provided by the Government under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act necessarily implies the adoption of the machinery therein prescribed for the settlement of industrial disputes and the unconditional acceptance of the decisions of the Court of Arbitration ou matters that cannot be settled by agreement of the'parties in conciliation council. “The adoption of direct action by either workers or employers lis absolutely contrary to the principles of conciliation and arbitration, and the Government cannot agree that where the decisions of the constitutional tribunals are not acceptable to either parly, such party is entitled to refuse.to abide by such decisions and resort td direct action to attain fits objective. “Organizations must decide whether they lyisli to have the concilia t ion and arbitration system with its atiendaiit benefits or whether they wish to he outside the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. and have the right to resort to direct action. They edniiot have both, and I may say tlia* the. Government proposes to introdive legislation which will bare the effect of settling the question for those organizations wblc.li will not decide the matter for themselves.”

INDUSTRIAL UNREST

Frequent Stoppages Of > Work The serious couSequeuces of the frequent stoppages in industry were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hamilton, during the Imprest Supply debate in the House of Representatives yesterday. He said that one would expect peace in industry under a Labour G< .eminent, but ihe fact was that there had been more industrial unrest than ever before. Mr. Hamilton said that during the past three months there had liven 20 stoppages in industry. These slippage* were now averaging two a week, amt in all cases major industries were alfected. The Court of Arbitration had been a feature of the Labour Government's policy, but the flouting of awards made it practically non-effec-tive. .