DEEP UNDERCURRENTS STIR

Chronicle (Levin), 27 August 1947, Page 7

DEEP UNDERCURRENTS STIR

Press Associatijn)

♦ UNION DISSATISFACTION WITH PRESENT GOVERNMENT

. (Per

WELLINGTON, August 26. Deep undercurrents are stirling the trade unions, and at no other stage since 1935, when the Government entered office, has there been so tnueh dissatisfaction with the Adininistration. One interesting symptom is the repeated speculation expressed privateiy bv union officials about the possibilities of a Coalition Government, although if would be rash to attach too much importance to this. The fact remains that there are union oflic-ials who seriously regard a Coalition as a possibility. To objeetions that there is no evidence that the Parliamentary Oppositiou would consider such a eourse, they retort that the political situation in New Zealand seems to be much of a stalemate, with neither party able to hope at present for a clear majority of, say, seven to ten seats. , XJnionists are keenly aware of the precarious position of the Government, and it is extraordinary to find an impression among them that the Government would not mind losing the critical Mount Albert* by-election. Those who subscribe to this opinion say that the Government knows well that, because of recent events, it cannot expect to command the union support which it possessed at the last General Election, and that it is quite possible that many unionists in the constituency will abstain from voting for the Government, while they will not support the Opposition. If this occurred, and other condidates, espeeially a representative of the Democratic Labour Party, appeared in tlie field, the position for the Government in Mount Albert would be desperate. Some unionists think that the Government would mahe delinite approaclies for a Coalition, if it lost tne seat. Failing success in such a move to elFect a working Adininistration, it would be obliged to go to Ihe eountry, but with less favourable prospects than it liad last year. The disfavour into wliich the Government has fallen, in the view of many unionists, and, indeed, unions, is due to a conibinatiou of circumstances. The lirst and perliaps foremost is the outcomc of the wages pronouncement by the Arbitration Court. There is no attempt to deny that the result is highJy unsatisfactory to the trade union movement, which expected a verv substantial increase, if not the full amount of £1 a weok. On Wednesdav and Thursday the national council of the New Z'ealanu Federation of Labour will meet in Wellington to review the pronouncement. Many protests against its inadequacy liave been made, and the meeting will consider whether there shoukl be an application for another increase. Force to the protests against the pronouncement is being given by these arguments, which are being widelv discussed by unionists: (1) The rising cost of living cancels, in eft'eet, the apparent wage increase of' roughly 10s a week; (2) the increased wage nieans that. workers must incur higlier taxation rates; (3) the witlulrawal of subsidres will inevitably cause higlier costs to fail ou the workers; (4) the Government has completely and inexplicably failed to give real taxation relief, whidi workers geuerally consider to be a j prime necessity: and (5) the cconomie emergency is expected to cause unusual calls to b'e ma'de on the workers, who fear fliai. goods: wii! be scarcer and prices will be higlier. The Backdrop. As a kind of backdrop to this scene of confusion and alarm among the

unicorn is the question of secret ballots before strikes or lock-outs, with at.tendant threats of mass demonstrations in protest, and one-day strikes. The general feeling is that any attempt by the Government to enforee the measure will meet some resistanee. rnioni.sts admit -that many of the rank and file realise that the measure is democratic, and, in essenoe, a proper protection of themselves and the comniunity, and that some unions agree with the Government 's proposal. un the other liand, it is claimed that inore and bigger unions have declared themselves against the measure. Unionists who agree with the Government 's proposal sav, however, that the adininistration has made two im-

portaut tactical errors. The Government did not take the trade union movement into its confidenee before introducing the measure, and, unionists say, the Government has neglected to explain the merits of the proposal 111 spite of the growing criticisni of it, and organisation against it. For instance, some trade union officials have remarked that many workers appear to hold the mistaken opinion that the measure is against the right to strike, when, in fact, it recognises such a right, but insists 011 a majority and unfetlered decision before a strike is launched. Specious Agitation. Some officials say, too, that the agitation about political intcrference witti union affairs is specious. They mentioi that union officials did not eomplain about other political interference, which greatlv strengthened their position. That was the introduction of eompulsorv un ionism. It is claimed, however, in some union quarters, that the Parliainentary Labour Party is by no nieans united aboui the political wisdom of introducing the measure at a critical time, and at thc risk of incurring the hostility of large uumbers of supporters of the Government. There is-no snggestion of union hostility to the efforts to aid Britain, but there is a questioniug of the powei> which may be used towards that end. Some officials express doubts about tne haste in wliich last week's Aid-to-Britain Conference made sweeping reeommendations. They say that many delegates to the conference were in 110 way produeers or distributors, and they think there should be full guarantees that compulsion is not conteiiipiated. They remark also that New Zealand seems to be hurrying into farreaching commitments when complete evidence has not been forthcoming about what Britain herself proposes to do, and there have been insufficieut indications of what Canada, Australia and South Africa intend in the way of help.