CO129-626-3 Labour Department- report to Labour Commissioner 1-3-1951 - 30-6-1952 — Page 63

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113.

There is clear evidence in the reports of the Labour Attache, China, as to the extent of inefficiency and dishonesty among trade union officers in China and in the absence of adequate inspection and control it does not seem unreasonable to assume that the same defects, on a similar scale, exist in Hong Kong.

114.

I have accordingly embodied in my suggested amendments to the Trade Union and Trade Disputes Ordinance see Appendix 7.) proposals that:-

115.

(1) Provision be made for the appointment from outside

the Department of Labour of a Registrar, a deputy Registrar and assistant Registrars of Trade Unions. (2) The Registrar have power to cancel registration in

the event of

(3)

(a) the union being used for any unlawful purpose or for any purpose inconsistent with its rules or

(b) that the constitution of the trade union or

its executive is unlawful.

No person shall be or act as an officer of a trade union who has been convicted by any court of larceny, theft, extortion or intimidation or of any other serious offence which in the opinion of the Governor in Council renders him unfit for such office.

(4) an injunction restraining unauthorised or unlaw-

ful expenditure of the funds of a union be granted to any five members or to the Registrar.

(5)

The Registrar and his assistants have adequate powers of inspection.

(6) There be provision for a compulsory secret ballot.

Consideration might also usefully be given to the question of "Probationary Unions" which in the would qualify for full regist- ration. The Registrar could then be given power to place a union on probation instead of cancelling registration where he thought that reformation was possible.

116.

It is also suggested that advantage be taken of section 27 (iv) of the Trade Union and Trade Disputes Ordinance to impose registration fees. Afee of ten dollars for registration would not be unreasonable and I am of the opinion that such action would tend to increase the value of registration in the eyes of all those concerned. When facilities of this kind are obtained for nothing many people are inclined to underrate their importance. It should be mentioned that the trade unions do not hesitate to change for certificates of membership issued by them.

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