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Chronicle (Levin), 14 April 1949, Page 5

WELLINGTON, April 13. Subject to veriflcation of its membership lists by the Department of Labour and subject also to its rules bemg founu in order and approved by the Registrar of Industrial Unions, the new union .of the Auckland carpenters and joiners will be given registration under the In.lustrial Conciliation and Arbitration A. t. This was announeed tonight by the Minister of Labour, Mr. McLagan, who said the new union with its 102U nx-mbers, clearly had the majority suppo i*t of 'carpenters in the area concerned. It was willing to honour its obligations under the Act as well as to acce; t the privileges .conferred by the [ Act. "The refusal of the derpgistered Carpenters' Union to agree to the taking of a secret ballot of carpenters on the question of go-slow, is signiflcant, " said J\Ir. McLagan. "It tears away the last shreds oi any pretence ot demoeracy in the conduct of the affairs of the deregistered union. It exposes the taetics of an organised minority bent upon dictating to the majority at all costs and it proves beyond any possibie doubt that those responsible for the go-slow are wejl aware that the majority of carpenters are opposed to go-slow and would vote accordingly if given the opportunity." * The Minister said the excuse given for a refusal to agree to a ballot was •■urprising it its lameness. The minority responsible for the go-slow had long deen aware of tlie widespread desire for n ballot. Hundreds of carpenters had publicly asked for a ballot and the exI'use that a ballot was refused because no one had moved that it be take*i, would deeeive nobody. '

"The boast that many carpenters are not working in the industry is also signiflcant in that it reveals one of the &im« of the go-slow organisers," said Mr. McLagan. " flnese gentlemen are concerned to keep the number of workeiis employed in the building industry at the lowest possibie level and to retard and hold up building and especially to hold up the building of homes for our people. The answer to their boast is that 1020 carpenters have already indicated their readiness to expedite the building of homes by accepting their award and carrying on normal work. Their number is still growing. The new union with its 1020 members, clearly has the majority support of carpenters in the area concerned. It is willing to honour its obligatioifs under the industrial conciliation and arbitration Act as well as aecept the privileges, conl;erre.d by the Aet. "Subject to a veriflcation , of its membership lists by the Department oi Labour and subject also to its rules being found in order and approved by the Registrar of Industrial Unions, it wili be given registration under the Act."