TRADE UNION BILL AMENDMENT LOST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18182, 15 June 1927, Page 13

TRADE UNION BILL AMENDMENT LOST.

By Telegraph.—Fress Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, June 13. In the House of Commons, in committee on the Trade Union Bill, Mr T. Henderson (Labour) moved an amendment to the definitions clause providing that the expression " trade union ” include the associations of employers. Workmen wei ; trades unions and they should be placed on the same footing, as it would be unreasonable to place the employers’ associations, which were not trade unions, under obligations applying only to trade unions. Labour members contended that bodies like the Brewers’ Society and the Federation of Employers, which dispensed large funds for political purposes, ought to be on the same footing as the trade unions regarding political levies. The amendment was defeated by 190 votes to 77. Colonel J. Gretton (Conservative) moved an amendment classing as a political fund money used to pay the election expenses of members of the House of Commons and municipalities, and to finance newspapers. Sir Thomas Inskip said that, while he did net view the amendment unsympathetically, the Government did not desire needlessly to open up a wide field of controversy. Sir Henry Slesser said the amendment showed the real nature of the opposition to the trades unions activities. The amendment was withdrawn.