THE FEDERAL STONEWALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13029, 21 November 1905, Page 4

THE FEDERAL STONEWALL.

The "stonewall" raised in the Commonwealth Parliament against the attempt of the Deakin Government, to push through the Trade Marks Bill has given " the union label" an unexpected notoriety. Mr. Reid and the Opposition object to certain clauses in this Bill which would if passed give a legal status to an American trades union method of which very little has hitherto been heard in these colonies. These clauses would make it legal for a trades union to register a label for attachment to any goods, which label would show that the article had been manufactured by members of such-and-such a union. The unauthorised use of this label would be punishable as the unauthorised use of a trade mark. Against this provision, all the Chambers of Commerce and manufacturers in the Commonwealth have taken strong exception, and it is in response to their protest and appeal that the Opposition is making its stand. The determination of the followers of Mr. Eeid was strengthened when in the midst of the struggle Mr. Deakin sprang aclosure resolution upon the House. : He in effect sought to carry a new standing order to bring to an end a fight then proceeding. ! There does not seem to be I any probability of the dispute I being compromised, for it is one of ; those questions in which there is no ! middle path. It appears that in the 1 United States the "label" is one of the weapons most relied upon by the unions employing it, there being what is tantamount to an industrial J boycott'' waged against goods not tearing it. The outcome of the ! struggle in the Melbourne Parliament will therefore be looked upon With considerable interest.