Compulsory Unionism Would Then Cease

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 153, 1 July 1939, Page 5

Compulsory Unionism Would Then Cease

MINISTER EXPLAINS FURTHER WELLINGTON, June 30. The fact that the cancellation of the registration of a union under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, as he had threatened in his statement on Thursday, would completely remove the right to demand compulsory unionism of workers in that industry, was emphasised by the Minister of Labour, Hon. P. Webb, in reply to an inquiry to-night. Speaking in the House of Representatives last night, the Minister said organisations, whether of workers or employers, which were not willing to abide by the provisions of the Act would render themselves liable to deregistration. “If the registration of a union is cancelled,” the Minister said, “it will follow naturally that it* rights to demand compulsory unionism as provided for in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, will be removed. It will still be possible for workers to band themselves together outside the scope of the Act and it is possible that some may prefer that way but any body which ia constituted in that way will have no right to demand that all workers in that particular industry shall be members. That is a privilege which is enjoyed only under the Act.”