UNNECESSARY STRIKES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 28 November 1938, Page 8

UNNECESSARY STRIKES

CONDEMNED BY MINISTER FEDERATIONS DISAPPROVAL FORFEITURE OF RIGHTS 1 United Press Association] CHRISTCHURCH, 27th November. Recent strikes in industry were condemned as unnecessary by the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, and Mr J. Roberts, chairnian of the Federation of Labour, in speeches in Christchurch on Saturday night. The disapproval of the Federation of Labour of these strike tactics was voiced by Mr Roberts, who said the federation had not been consulted before strike action was taken, nor had it given its con cUrrenee. Ihe workers have no need to take the drastic steps that some organisations have recently taken,” said Mr Sullivan. ‘‘lt is only by the workers being thoroughly and properly organised and disciplined that these sporadic and unnecessary outbursts can be controlled. It is essential in a country like ours, where the Government is fighting capitalism for the gdod of the workers and of democracy, that there should be continuity of work and action behind the Government,” added the Minister. ‘‘The subversive movements are apathy and disruption. I hope they do not take place ia New Zealand, where the whole Labour Party is determined to carry out its plan.” Mr Roberts said : “If unions desire to strike, they should cancel their existing registration and register under the Trade Lnion Act. Ihe strikes that have occurred in the last few months were not called after consultation with, or with the concurrence of, the Federation of Labour. ‘‘One must be quite frank in matters of this kind. When unions register under the Industrial Conciliation anti Arbitration Act they forfeit their right to strike when awards made from time to time are unsatisfactory.

It is impossible for the Government to function if obstacles are raised by the workers. There is no compulsion to register under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. I make these remarks with a full sense of responsibility.”