UNION FUNDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19867, 15 June 1927, Page 9

UNION FUNDS

USE FOR POLITICAL ENDS FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE BILL. Received June 14, 10 p.m. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, June 14. In the House of Commons, in committee on the Trades Unions Bill, Mr Arthur Henderson moved an amendment to the definitions clause, providing that the expression “trade union” should include associations of employers and workmen, which were trades unions and should be placed on tho same footing, as it would be unreasonable to place 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 trade unions regarding political levies. The amendment was defeated by 190 votes to 77. Colonel Gretton (Conservative) moved an amendment classing as a political fund money used to pay election expenses of members of the House of Commons and to finance newspapers. Sir T. W. TI. Inskip (Conservative) said that while he did not view the amendment unsympathetically, the Government did not desire needlessly to open up a wide field of controversy. Sir Henry Slesser (Labour) said the amendment showed the real nature of the opposition to the trades unions activities. The amendment was withdrawn.