CURBING TRADE UNIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1927, Page 9

CURBING TRADE UNIONS

bill before the commons OPPOSITION OF CAMPAIGN SEVERE REMEDIAL STEPS By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received April 5, 7 p.m. London, April 4. In the House of Commons the Trade 'Dispute and the Trade Unions Bill was read the first time. The Bill stipulates that any strike having any object besides the furtherance of a trade dispute within the industry in which strikers are engaged, is illegal, if designed or calculated to coerce the Government or intimidate a substantial portion of the community. The Bill lays down a penalty of two years’ imprisonment for instigators and participators. It forbids intimidatory picketing and prohibits the picketing of non-strikers’ residences, under a penalty of £2O and three months’ imprisonment. Henceforth it will be illegal to require a trade unionist to contribute to a political fund unless he specifically agrees to do so in writing, and the political funds of a trade union must be kept separate from the ordinary funds. Civil servants are forbidden to belong to trade unions which eater for non-civil servants, or affiliated to organisations, the federation of whose membership is not confined to persons employed under the Crown or having political objects. iFinally local and other public authorities are forbidden to make employment conditional upon membership of a trade union, or in any way to favour trade union employees. The Bill lays down a penalty of £lO, or three months’ imprisonment for breach of contract of service with a local or public authority. The Act does not apply to Northern Ireland. Before the Labour members saw the Trade Union Bill, they decided to fight it line by line. Since seeing its text, their determination has been intensified. The Bill has proved far more comprehensive than was anticipated, even by the Conservative Press.

“There is but one opinion among Labour members of the House of Commons,” says the Daily Telegraph. “This opens a battle royal.” The second reading is not expected before Easter, but Labour members are already preparing a joint national campaign, by political and industrial sections of the party. Conservative opinion cordially approves of the Bill, while the Liberal papers, the Daily News and Daily Chronicle, do not comment.

The Daily Herald’s political correspondent regards the clause headed “Prevention of intimidation,” as probably the most contentious, expressing the opinion that this imposes such restrictions on picketing as leaves the courts ,at liberty to declare almost any sort illegal.

In this connection, it may be stated that the Bill defines intimidation as meaning “to cause in a person’s mind, reasonable apprehension to him or any member of his family, or damage to his property; “injury” includes physical injury; and “boycott” loss of any kind, or exposure to hatred, ridicule or contempt.

Editorially, the Daily Herald says: “This amazing measure has been introduced without mandate. The Government dare not submit it to a general election. It is not even the fruit of consideration by a Royal Commission. It is a purely irresponsible measure, fomented by a Tory organisation, supplemented by kindred organisations and employers, and plotted in Cabinet, while Mr. Baldwin was making hypocritical speeches about ‘goodwill’ and ‘peace’ in industry.

“The Government has made its own doom doubly sure. The Bill will lead to such a revival of working class activity that Mr. Baldwin and his associates will have cause to regret their stupidity.”

Mr. Arthur Henderson says the Bill Is a. direct attack upon the trades unioifs. It is a challenge to the workers.