UNION MATTERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 17 October 1925, Page 7

UNION MATTERS.

PREFERENCE AND LEVIES

(by TELEGRAPH —-PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN, Oct. 16.

In the Arbitration Court Mr. Justico Frazer made an important pronounce ment respecting the preference clause and unions’ powers. He said trouble had arisen in Christchurch and Auckland, and the question was raised whether the unions whose rules provided for the payment of levies and fines were entitled to benefit under the preference clause.

In considering the matter the court was forced to the conclusion that the fines and levies, though permissible under the Act, were not permissible under the preference clause as at present worded. The object of limiting payment was a guarantee to the worker that he would not be required to pay more than a definite stated sum as a condition of membership. It was thought, however, that if a union were allowed to charge a weekly contribution of one shilling and the amopnt required as a regular subscription was only sixpence, the remaining sixpence should be sufficient to cover levies and fines.

However, on a different basis the court recognised that it was desirable that unions should have reasonable means of disciplining, and had decided in all future awards to make an addition to the preference clause, empowering unions to impose fines not exceeding 2s 6d for non-attendance or arrears, and not exceeding £1 for misconduct at meetings.