Forced Levy?

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 236, 6 October 1938, Page 5

Forced Levy?

Harbour Board Employees And Election Funds QUESTION RAISED AT LYTTELTON BOARD MEETING Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. “Is it correct that the employees of the board are members of the New Zealand Harbour Board Employees’ Union have been forced to pay to tho union by way of a levy a contribution for political purposes termed, I believe, an instalment to the election fund ot the Labour Party!" This question asked by Mr. J. K. McAlpine at a meeting of the Lyttelton Harbour Board provoked keen discussion among members. The secretary, Mr. C. H. Clibborn, said that when the union was formed a set of rules had to be set up before it was registered. The rules provided that the maximum amount payable by any member to the union was £2 17s, but although he was not a member of the union he did not know of a provision in the rutes on the lines indicated by Mr. McAlpine. He understood that wheu a receipt was given for such contributions *it bore something like that phraseology on it. From the nature of the receipt the payment probably did constitute a levy. Mr. McAlpine: Is there any limit to this contribution! Mr. T. H. McCombs: Do you know if the union is affiliated to the New Zealand Labour Party? Last time I had occasion to inquire, it was not. If it is not no contribution is made. Mr. R. E. Cairns claimed that the levy was entirely voluntary. It could only be made compulsory by the resolution of a special meeting called for that purpose. The chairman, Mr. R. T. McMillan, said he did not know whether the board “was within its rights discussing what the union did or did not do. Personally he thought such a compulsory levy definitely wrong. The board, however, had no power to make an alteration in the matter, although there was. no harm in having tne matter ventilated. Replying to a further statement by Mr. Cairns that the levy was not compulsory, Mr. Clibborn said he understood that some of the members had received circulars demanding payment. Mr. Cairns: That’s news to me. If that- is so, without the authority of a special meeting they cannot force pay* ment.