ARBITRATION ACT AMENDMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8913, 5 September 1907, Page 2

ARBITRATION ACT AMENDMENT.

Ilia Shrieking Chorush

(Press Association.) Auckland, September 4. Tiro Tailoressos’ Union passed a resolution strongly opposing the Arbitration Act Amendment Bill, as it is not iu the best interests of the smaller unions, which need help and advice from unionists of other trades. Wellington, September 4. The following resolution has been adopted by the Australasian Federated Seamen’s Union, “That this Union exyirosscs disapproval of thoso clauses iu tiro Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill pertaining to tho abolition of Boards of Conciliation ana replacing thorn with Industrial Councils, restricting unions iu respect to the use of their funds, tho compelling of non-union ists to contribute to funds of unions thereby abrogating “the long-foiight-for principle of prefeceuce_ to unionists, the compelling of unions with their central head outside New Zealand to retain ttvo thirds of their assets in the f colony* authorising employers to deduct. 25 , per cent of wages duo to a worker for the purpose of liquidating any fine that might be imposed, prohibiting unions from registering under tho Trade Union Act, and prohibiting any person who is not employed or has not been employed in a trade from holding . the position of an officer or seat on tho committee of management. ’ ’

Trades Council Protest. Per Press Association. Dune Pin, September 4. The Executive of the Trades and Labour Council of Otago lias issued a manifesto to the Trades Unionists of Otago and the sympathisers with labor in connection with the proposed amendments to the Arbitration Act. The Executive opens by entering a most emphatic protest against the action of the Minister in introducing legislation which had never been asked for by the Trades Councils of the Colony nor by any other organisation of workers or employers, and which if given effect to will it is held not only kill many unions at present struggling for existence but will to a groat extent prevent many unions being "formed. The clauses to wliioli particular exception are taken are.: (1) That all funds of a union other than those required for general management shall be spent in providing out of work payment and sick benefits; (2) prohibiting anyone from being an officer or member of the committee of management of a union unless ho has been or is employed iu the industry in connection with which the union is established ; (3) that the Court may empower any union to collect payment from non-mem-bers of the same at work in the industry and district as if such individuals were members of the union; (4) empowering employers to deduct from the wages of any worker in their employ amounts totalling the amount imposed by way of line under the Act.

■Jn regard to the first objection, the Executive ipoints out that the Minister promised to include a clause in the Bill to prevent unions building up a fund which might afterwards he used for fighting the capitalistic element. The Executive holds it is arbitary to ntroduce such compulsion and the proposal should not be tolerated. No. 2 is considered to be the most arbitrary clause in the Bill. It is held that by several unions having . the same person as secretary and thus having him at their disposal at all times, many grievances have been settled. It is also claimed that the clause will interfere to a great extent with unions composed of females only.

In respect to No. 3, the Executive points out that the Council asked for preference to unionists i not compulsory unionism.

Clause 4 is considered to be another means of crushing workers and should be resisted for that reason.

It is pointed out that no provision is made for the reco 'cry of fines imposed on employers. The proposal for the abolition of Conciliation Boards and the substitution of Industrial Councils is not considered a step in the right direction as to compel all Unions to select men employed in the particular trade to which the dispute relates is to inflict great hardship on the great majority of Unions.