TRADE UNION BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1927, Page 2

TRADE UNION BILL

—FURTHER DISCUSSION IN COMMONS. LONDON, -May 21. The House of Commons spent the day discussing the second clause ol the Trade Union Bill, which forbids L moiis to expel, or in any wise finalise members who refuse to participate in illegal strikes. The Labourites objected, saving it would make heroes of black-legs.

Sir D. Ilogg pointed out that employees were in the same position, since lockouts were included.

Mr Timings emphasised the point that the executive of most Unions insisted that none of the members should be victimised for not taking part in last year’s strike. He complained that the clauses were being discussed from a narrow, legal viewpoint, while big business men outside realised the nett effect of the Bill would be to chock good relations, between employers and workers, and cause a mere serious setback to trade than the gen-

eral strike. Afiss AA’ilkinson said the clause invited men to act like Judas. They compelled their fellow unionists to find thirty pieces of silver. AIY Inskip replied that the clause did not prevent unions ex]>elling members out of harmony with their fellows, but it provided, and gave those expelled, the benefits to which they were entitled.

The clause was amended to give a penalised trade unionist the right to counsel, made restrospoctive to Ist. May, 1920.

Then the guillotine was applied and the clause w,ns carried hy 275 votes to 120.