ARBITRATION BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 233, 29 September 1908, Page 3

ARBITRATION BILL.

THE MINISTER CONFIDENT. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)WELLINGTON, Monday. Interviewed on the subject of the Arbitration Bill as it stands after its passage through the House of Representatives, the Minister for labour, the Hon. J. A. Millar, spoke in terms of high confidence regarding the measure, "i think that the working of the bill as it has passed the House "will be to promote a better feeling than exists at present, as we have come to that stage now that both employers and employed are beginning to realise that the best way to settle their troubles is to meet one another and let each know the other's troubles." declared the Minister. "The growth of this feeling will certainly promote the welfare of both parties concerned. Under the old Act, the employers had lost all confidence in the Conciliation Boards, as also had a large number of the workers, but I think that i 'lie experience of this form of conciliation, which to my mind is the finest that can be done, will act to the real advantage of both parties, and assist in promoting the industrial life of the Dominion. "Both for employers and workers it, is | far better to have fixed conditions laid ! down iv the form of an award than have individual agreements made without any sense of security at all. The present Arbitral ion Act has enabled employers, »"ith a feeling of confidence, to take contracts believing that as far a« wages and Lours were concerned they could calculate expertly what the cost would lie, and on the other hand it has made the worker know exactly what wages he can receive, and the danger of undercutting cither on the part of an unscrupulous employer or on the part of a needy worker is prevented. 1 feel confident from the expressions which I have received in writing from ...■> large number of unions to whom the bill was submitted, unions both of I workers and employers, that they recogi n:sc that the system adopted in the i bill is going to be for their mutual j benefit. 1 have no desire to say anyi :hing aboot those who have been ex- .' pressing their disapproval of the mea- ! sure, believing that the bill when in ! actual operation will justify tbe Govern- | ment in the action it has taken. We ■ desire to promote industrial peace, and lo see tbe industries of our country go- ' ing steadily ahead, and with that object ,in view I have endeavoured to meet the | ' objections to the prseent method of ' settling disputes. I hope and trust that i our expectations will be realised, and > . that the mutual support of both parties • i interested will be given, and a fair trial jof the present legislation granted."