TRADE DISPUTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12267, 11 May 1903, Page 5

TRADE DISPUTES.

A BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENT/

STATEMENT BY MR. BALFOUR

By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright

(Received May 10, 5.2 p.m.)

London, May 9.. * Mr. Shackleton'*s Bill to legalist peaceful persuasion and picketing, and to prohibit, actions against trade unions as such, was rejected by 246 votes to 226. The Government opposed the Bill, but promised an inquiry.

Mr. Balfour characterised the measure as fragmentary, ambiguous and apparently alarmingly revolutionary m regard to gome aspects of vast and complicated questions going to the root of industrial life. Since Parliament must shortly reconsider the whole position as regards combinations of workmen, employers and capitalists, it was advisable that a Commission should investigate the question so as to throw light on the principles and lines of future action.

The majority was composed entirely of Unionists, but many Ministerialists abstained from voting.

Pome time, n;r,< a- draft Bill " to legalise th« peaceful conduct of trade disputes" was approved by committees representing the trades union.*, appointed to consider questions raised bv the 'faff Vale decision. By its first clause picketing:, where no violence is used, would not. lie deemed a w.ifdiimr or besotting," within th-' meaning of section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act. 1875. Under clause 2. designed to amend the law of conspiracy. " An agreement or combination by two or more persons to do or procure to be done any act in contemplation or furtherance of a trade dispute shall not be a orotund for an action if sucn act when done by one person is not a ground for an action." A third and final clause, would bar any action apra.inst a union v.'here it could nT? be shown that the union's agent had "acted with the directly expressed sanction and authority of the rules* of the union.