REGISTRATION OF RULES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2539, 13 August 1915, Page 9

REGISTRATION OF RULES

• UNION AND DEPARTMENT. A grievance of tho Seamen's Union about the delay in tho registration of their rules was laid before the Prime Minister yesterday by a deputation from the union, the spealsers of which were Messrs. W. T. Young, W. Belcher, and I'.^, J. . O'Regan. Their complaint, in effect, was that although they had taken legal advice on their proposed rules, and had becu informed that they were in accordance with tho law, the Department would not register . them. Mr. Belcher said that tlie union had come to an agreement with shipping companies, ono of the terms of which was that tho union should register under the Arbitration Act. The union therefore was anxious to be registered. Mr. -T. W. Rowley, Under-Secretary of Labour, denied that there had been any rod tape, as was alleged. Tho rules submitted did not nearly conform to the law, oven after revision by Mr. O'Regan. One of the rules was to the olt'ocfc that tho decision of the executive council should govern all district branches. If it should, happen that a decision of the council were not in accordance With law complications might arise. The council would havo power, to call tho men out on strike. The Primo Minister said that the rules would havo to conform to the. law. Ho suggested that the easiest way out of the difficulty would bo for representatives of tho Department and tho union to confer and pass all the rules about which there was no dispute. Those about which there was disagreement could then bo referred to tho Crown Law Office. . . Mr. Young said the union would consider the suggestion. .