UNION MEMBERSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 144, 21 June 1938, Page 15

UNION MEMBERSHIP

COMPULSORY CLAUSE

REASON FOR ENACTMENT

Compulsory unionism was one of the subjects mentioned by Mr. C. H. Weston, K.C., president of the National Party, in the course of an address in the Taia Hall, Kilbirnie, last night.

Some of the supporters of the Labour Party or Communist Party had said that the National Party proposed to abolish unionism, said Mr. Weston. There was nothing in that. The members of the National Party were keener supporters of unionism than the Communist Party. Voices: This is the Labour Party here. Wherever there was Communism, said Mr. Weston, unionism had gone, and if the Labour Government were returned unionism would go in New Zealand. An interjector at the back of the hall rose and made a short speech, but his remarks could not be heard at the other end of the room. "Let me tell you this," said Mr. Weston. "The National Party "I don't want to hear about the National Party," said the interjector. "I've been a member of the Engineers' Union for forty-four years and now you call me a Communist." BRINGING IN THE COMMUNISTS. Mr. Weston said the National Party objected to compulsory unionism. When the Government put the compulsory clause into the Statute it did it to bring all the Communists into the unions. The Government talked against the Communists. Mr. Semple —(applause)—talked as if a Communist was like the "breath of Hell" to him, but the Government had passed a Bill to bring the Communists into the unions. "Ten union secretaries in Wellington are Communists," said Mr. Weston. A member of the audience shouted that he challenged the statement and would give £50 to the Smith Family if Mr. Weston was right, provided Mr. Weston also put up £50. Amidst cries of protest, and requests that he accept the challenge, Mr. Weston said he would read out the names of the ten secretaries. Mr. Weston said he would not accept any challenge, but he knew that the ten secretaries had sponsored a meeting to enable two Communists to give addresses. A great, many of the trade unions were controlled by Communists. An interjector: They say the milk supply is controlled by the cow. "Now that you have compulsory unionism you should see how your union funds are spent," Mr. Weston said. Voices: We do; we would like to know how the National Party funds are spent. Workers who had been compelled to join unions had to contribute to party funds, Mr. Weston said. Voices: What party? The Labour Party, said Mr. Weston, and he could assure them that they would be better off under a National Government