Compulsory Unionism Seen As Misused Weapon

Chronicle (Levin), 2 May 1949, Page 5

Compulsory Unionism Seen As Misused Weapon

AHCKLAND, Apvil 30. " Compiilsorv unionism has forged n weapon which in some instanees ap tears to be misused in New Zealand ii i vicioiis attempt to wreck the coun ■ry 's economic, political and legal in stitutions so that political power eau be seized from the ruins," said thi preside.nt of the Auckland CounciJ of ■-Ke Building' Tftdiistry "'(Mr. ,rG. '*M'' Hagen), in an address to the council annual meeting. "Thousands of honest, law-abidin; wage-earners are without ehoice th members of' trade unions and arc re . quired by law to c.ontribute to unior f.unds, " stated Mr, Hagen. "This ha: resulted in wealthy and influentiai organisations being: established and run, not for the benetit and in accord ance with the wishes of the majority, but for the benefit of a few. "Many authorities have called publi. attention to this aspect and to the in adequacv of the Government 's indu.->-trial legislation in regard to strikes. This should warran't the Government 's giving its very serious consideration ic revising the strike laws and ensuring that funds collected compulsorily are put to their proper use by requmng a public audit o.f union accounts ani' Government supervision of the eonduct of union elections. "The Government should also consider whether compulsory unionism ha? .justilied itself. Already many emplovers and workers' organisations have struck jtommon ground and are able to cooperate within their industry to the advantage of both and of the public This without doubt is the general de sire of the majority of honest workmer. and trade unionists and of every em ployer." If out of the recent industrial- up heaval, and the warnings and the revelations of the activities of eertain trade union leaders, came the possibility of greater cooperation between tradp unions and employers in those . cases where common grounds could not be struck previously, then that alone would be a worthwhile result of the builders' recent action in the carpenters' dispute.