SECRET BALLOT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26541, 16 August 1947, Page 8

SECRET BALLOT

FURTHER UNION SUPPORT EMENDATIONS SUGGESTED Support for the proposed Bill amending the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act has been given by four more Otago unions—the Metal Workers’ Assistants’ Union, the Dunedin Bootmakers’ Union, the Shop Assistants’ Union, and the Hairdressers and Tobacconists’ Assistants’ Union. The metal workers’ assistants support the principle of the secret ballot, but have suggested that the Government should reconsider the provision for making trade union officials prove their innocence, instead of the Crown being required to prove -them guilty. It has also been suggested that the question of the appointment of deputy judges of the Arbitration Court should be re- tf considered. The Bootmakers’ Union has released the following resolution: —“ Believing that the secret ballot is the only true democratic method of obtaining the opinion of workers, this union supports the Government’s proposed amendments to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act whereby it will become necessary for a secret ballot to precede strike action. This union dissociates itself from any proposed demonstration against the legislation. It condemns the misleading and incorrect interpretation placed on the relevant section of the Act which has been published, such as the statement by Trades Council officers that practically all others workers would have to hold a ballot before a miners’ organisation could strike. This union suggests to the Minister that the appointment of deputy judges be reconsidered. with a view to adopting the Federation of Labour’s recommendation that . conciliation commissioners he granted extended powers.”