·15 -
50
100.
orks Committees would encourage both sides to realise that there are often two or more sides to most problems, none of which may be wholly right or wholly wrong. They would learn to sort these out in the give and take of debate conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect and this could not but be advantageous to both sides, Even more strenuous afforts than hitherto should therefore be made to secure some form of machinery for Joint Consultation at local level.
101.
The average workers' trade union is badly managed, and an appreciable volume of the expenditure of the majority of the unions is illegal and there seems little doubt that many of them are being conducted for the benefit of a few leaders who, in trade unionism, have found an easy way of making a good living and at the same time forwarding their political creeds and objectives. The secret ballot is virtually unknown and intimdation is widespread, The confiscation of tools as a method of recruitment by coercion is not unknow and there has even been a case of murder resulting from a desire by a part- icular union to restrict entry into the trade.
102.
One registered union admitted the expenditure of as much as $43,000 in the year on entertainment and high expenditure on feasts is not at all unusual,
103.
Policy is dictated by a few leaders and there would seem to be a distinct lack of interest in the activities of most unions by the majority of the members. Many of the workers are not unused to this kind of domination. Cash shortages in union accounts are almost invariably dealt with by writing off the sum concerned. It seems by no means unusual for trade union members to regard payment of their subscriptions and levies imposed as a more insurance so as to ensure that they will be left alone to pursue their work in peace. In other cases the union's death benefit scheme is an added attraction.
104.
It is I think only fair to say that the items on which union funds can legally be expended is rather restricture and I think that the Labour Advisory Board should consider this matter with a view to effecting some modification.
105.
The reformation of the majority of the existing trade unions is a formidable task and clearly will take a long time. It is certainly a task which cannot be shouldered entirely by the Department of Labour whose main function in the future should be to advise and guide those unions which show some promise of becoming democratic organisations on the pattern of the Chinese Engineers' Institute.
106.
In all its dealings with the public, and this includes the trade unions, the staff of the Department of Labour must no only be strictly impartial but it must be obvious to all, workers and employers laike, that they are in fact strictly impartial in all their dealings. The retention of the respect of both sides of in- dustry and of the general public depends on clear and obvious im- partiality.