INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10756, 8 September 1900, Page 8

INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION.

DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT,

/ (special to "the press.") WELLINGTON, September 8. When the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill was in Committee to-night, Mr Herries moved an amendment which would bring the Government departments under the operation of the Bill.

Mr Seddon emphatically refused to accept any such amendment, and warned the House that by voting for it members would be voting to kill the Bill.

At this'stage Mr Jackson Palmer came to the rescue, and contended that ths amendment was out of order, as it might increase appropriations, and.such a clause could only ho introduced by tho Crown.

The Premier at once jumped at the suggestion, but Major Steward, who occupied the chair, did not appsar at first ta think that there was much in the point. However, after the Premier had explained the constitutional point at some length, the chairman came to the conclusion that the point was a very fine one, but that as there was a possibility of the appropriation being increased he . must decline to accept the amendment.

Mr Lewis then pointed out that the Court dealt with other questions besides mere money matters, such as hours and condition of labour, and Mr Herries added to his amendment a proviso which would bring the Government departments under the Act provided the appropriations were not thereby increased.

T__s was accepted by the Chairman, and on a division being.taken, the Government were defeated by 25 to 23, fo the delight of the Opposition and the blank amazement of-the lew who were prepared to stick to the Bill through thick and thin. Later on' ah ame-dment was moved exempting employees in the Post Office and Railway. Departments who are under classi fieation by speoial act. This was carried, but only by -the narrow majority of four votes.