NEW POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 80, 5 April 1939, Page 5

NEW POLICY.

LABOUR LEGISLATION.

CONSIDERATION' OF BILLS.

CAUCUS AND COUNCILS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesdav.

Before legislation affecting labour laws in.New Zealand is introduced bills will be referred first to; the Cabinet, then to the caucus of the Labour party and then to the Advisory Councils of Industry for their consideration. This new policy was disclosed by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, this evenin.tr. when he said that a number of bills was already ready for consideration through various channels.

The Minister made his announcement when he was questioned on the possibility of the Government introducing legislation making a live-day week for shops compulsory. Tt was pointed out to him that the official journal of the Federated Shop Assistants' Association had published his photograph with the caption. "Our Hope for a 40-Hour FiveDay Week. , ' and that a report had been made that his predecessor, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, had promised favourable legislation. In reply the Minister outlined his new policy of dealing with industrial legislation. Contemplated measures, he said, involved amendments mostly to the Shops and Offices Act and the Factories Act. while consolidation was proposed of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. Arbitration Court. Xo chouses in th«; constitution of the Arbitration Court were proposed, said .Mr. Welfb. The • present Court was working; quite, efficiently .and was hoping to be able to catch up with the major work. The- polity of the' Court in fixing longer terms for awards made by it was approved by the Minister, who said that it would bring abont greater stabilisation in industry. Negotiations are licinjr made for the formation of a National Council of Industry, following on the foundation of district councils. High hopes for the scheme bringing about greater unity in industry were expressed by the Minister. "The response from every part of New Zealand and from both sides to the call of unity and co-operation in industry have 'been excellent, both employers and employees being enthusiastic about getting together to face the problems in a united way," said Mr. Webb. "The Government is anxious to co-operate to the fullest extent with employers and employees in order to evolve a more practical and harmonious form of working, and I am informed in many .quarters that as a result of that more harmonious spirit finding an expression in industry a better feeling and better results are accruing."