LABOR UNIONS' REGISTRATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 391, 17 May 1910, Page 5

LABOR UNIONS' REGISTRATION

ELIMINATING REFERENCE TO POLITICS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Monday. The House of Lords' decision in the case of Osborne v. the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants (England), las si. result of which that trade union was debarred from levying upon its members for the purpose of can-vine on political* action and ipaving members of Parliament, has hsjd its effect upon the rules of the New Zealand industrial ■unions. Complaint ]nas been made tnat the registration of certain New Zealand industrial unions under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act wias refused until their rules were revised so to eliminate all reference to .political action. The Secretary for Labor (Mr. Tresrear) states that this is quite correct. The matter was referred to the Solici-tor-General, whose opinion he quoted. "It appears that the English case Osborne v. Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants applies to the law in NewZealand, and reference to political matters cannot therefore be in the rules un;ler the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act." Under this advice a .provision in the rules of a trade union setting forth one of its objects the taking of political action for tihe benefit of trades unionism wis deleted. 'T don't wish to interfere in any war with the freedom of trade unions." ■stated the Secretarv for Labor, w'hen he gave the above exnlnnsition of the position. ''There is nothing to prevent th" unions registering under nno/iher Act if they wish to undertake political propaganda, but if the object is to secure an award of the Arbitration Court we cannot register rules whicli n.<Up provide for taking political 1 , action."