"ONE-SIDED BALLOT"

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 68, 13 December 1937, Page 6

"ONE-SIDED BALLOT"

Labourers' Union in Hawke's Bay MR P. M. BUTLER'S VIEW (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, This Day. In a statement Mr. P. M. Butler , secretary of the Wellington District Labourers' and Related Trades Union, said that the recent ballot would not affect the members of the Wellington district union in the Hawke's Bay area. "The ballot," he said, "was conducted by the Federation of Labour. The Federation of Labour advised us on November 25 that the result of the ballot would not affect our members in Hawke's Bay, nor> would it affect the rules or legal status of either union. "This advice arose out of the fact that the members of the district union were not allowed a vote. Only members of the 'Hawke's Bay union were allowed to vote. We are therefore not concerned with the result of a onesided ballot, and our members cannot be forced to join the Hawke's Bay union. Our awards remain intact and supreme, and the workers coming within the scope of our awards can still rely on our protection, help and advice. These awards and agreements (16 in number) were obtained by our union and can only be enforced by our union. "The Hawke's Bay union has not even one award under its jurisdiction--it has tjvo agreements under its jurisdiction, but no awards. The Hawke'a Bay union wants to act like an indug. trial cuckoo — to gain from the initiative of others. They have made a big mistake. Issue Unalteretf. "The question of the ballot," Mr, Butler said, "is causing misgiving in thq ranks of industrial unionism. ft is felt that it was only fair and democratic that all workers affected should htve been allowed to vote. As a matter of fact, the decision of the National Council of the Federation of Labour indicated that Wl labourers in Hawke's Bay would vote.' This was not the case, and consequently almost 300 of our members were not allowed to votf. The labpurers' national federation, at its conference held last week, representing the opinion of "approximately 10,000 workers, conaidered this point and decided to request a ballot of all workers affected. Until the ballot as ordered by the national council is taken, the issue in Hawke's Bay r* mains unaltered. "An important factor arising froni the one-sided ballot is that almost half of the Hawke's Bay union members wish to join the Wellington district union. This is a remarkable. demonstration of the true feeling existing in Hawke's Bay and discloses that almost half of the provincial union desire to jom up with the executive union. Frankly, jve are pleased at this demonstration of confidence in the Wellington union by workers who are not attached to it. Should any of thos« 222 workers want to join our "union they can do so and we will gladly welcome them. ao meet our growing membership in Hawke's Bay we are opening an office in Hastings at an early date. Welcome Proper Ballot. "As none of our members were allowed to vote, the ballot^ was useless to decide the issue, and we are relying on the advice of the Federation of Labour 'that tho result does not affect the status or membership of either union.' We would welcome a proper ballot, and if all workers affected are allowed to vote we jvill undoubtedly and wholekeartedly abide by the result. In tfie meantime we are carrying on, as we ara unaffected. Our members in Hawke'a Bay will be still catered for by their own union. * We will combat any at" tempted: coereion or intimidation our members and give them every support and assistance. This statement ia mad© to clarify the position and to prevent confusion being created by the jtnisleading statements made by officials of the Hawke's Bay union which have recently appeared in the Press."