SHOPS AND OFFICES BILL

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14507, 8 November 1912, Page 4

SHOPS AND OFFICES BILL

HELD OVER UNTIL NEXT SESSION

(press association telegram.)

WELLINGTON, November 6. In the House of Representatives today,

Tlio Chairman of tho Labour Bills Committee reported that tho Committee had recommended that the Shops nnd Offices Act Amondment Bill should bo allowed to proceed. Mr Ell urged that the House should proceed with the Bill this session. Mr Isitt contended that tho Prime Minister would be responsible for what happened if the Bill were not proceeded with this session. .Some ten thousand peoplo wero affected by tho proposed JJill, and those would look to tho Pritno Minister for an explanation. Mr 0. W. Russell said he knew tho Prime Ministo* was in sympathy with tho proposals, and ho should put them through. Mr Okey said tlio Committee had received telegrams from all over tho country asking for an opportunity to give evidence _n regard to the Bill. Mr Atmore declared that the Labour Bills Committee was practically unanimous in favour of the Bill. Parliament shduld stand for tho principlt that every man and woman in New Zealand was entitled to one day's rest a week. There was hardly a man who would work his ho*so seven* days a week, and surely human beings should be treated as kindly as dumb animals.

Mr Robertson said the proposal that further .evidence should bo called in addition to the amount taken recently, was only a subtorfuge by tho opponents of tho Bill to block it. If the Primo Minister went on with tho Bill, ho would bo commended throughout the country.

Tho Hon. F. M. B. Fisher said ho first introduced tho Bill in 1907, and it had been brought on during every seseion since- Tho Bill had been * kept under by tho previous Administration. Tho Hon J. A. Millar had described tho Bill as a piece of class legislation but he differed from tho lato Minister. Ho complained that when he. had chnrge of tho Bill in previous years he got no support from the Opoositibnists who now supported it. More progress had boon mado with tho Bill during tho past three weeks than during the previous five yoars.- The.Prime Minister had promised to have tho Bill passed next year.; - Tho Primo Minister denied that he had over given nn. undertaking that'ho would placo the Bill on tho Statute Book this session: in fact, he had suggested to a deputation doubt that ho would be able to don I with tho Bill in any way this session. Next session ho would brine down a comprehensive "Shops and Offices Bill, eontnininp; the provisions included in tho mensnro under discussion, nnd full provision would be made for the taking: of ovidenco beforo tho Labour Bills Committeo. " i "

Sir Joseph.. Ward said as 'Mr Massey had pit-en a pledge about tho hearing of evidence., it would be only honourable tor the House to allow him to keep his promise. The Hon. A. L. Herdman submitted that tho Arbitration Court was tho propc- tribunal to settle tho working: conditions of tho employees in question.

Mr Pearce pointed out that dairy farmers and their employees had to work seven days a week ,md nothing was said about it.

Tho discussion was interrupted br tho dinnei, Adjournment. -