I.C. AND A. ACT

Press, Volume C, Issue 29498, 27 April 1961, Page 9

I.C. AND A. ACT

“Illiberal” Provisions The main Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act still contains a number of provisions which are contrary to the liberal principles as, for instance, laid down in the International i Labour Office Convention on Freedom of says the annual report of the Canterbury Council for Civil Liberties. "This convention has not been adopted by the New Zealand Government—partly no doubt, because our legislation does not accord with the liberal principles adopted in it. This convention has been adopted by more than 26 countries 'including the United Kingdom) in their legislation. “Some of the provisions to which we have drawn attention in the past are contained in the definition of the term 'strike' which is seriously oppressive, and in the provision of severe penalties for union officers in the case of strikes by the union. These officers are in several cases deemed guilty unless they can prove their innocence. "On the other hand, we see in a possible repeal of the clause in the act, making union membership compulsory, the possibility of an increased extension of civil liberties,” says the report.