“Industrial Laws Will Be Implemented”

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28822, 17 February 1959, Page 14

“Industrial Laws Will Be Implemented”

x (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 16. “The Government is determined to see that the industrial laws—like any other laws of the land—will be observed by employers and workers alike,” said the Prime Minister (Mr Nash) tonight. He said that the Cabinet had today discussed the industrial situation, including the waterfront stoppages x over the week-end, and there was no, question but that the policy of compulsory conciliation and arbitration would be upheld in all industrial disputes. s

“Industrial conciliation and arbitration is not only the law,” said Mr Nash, “it is a right, in the first place fought for and won by the workers of New Zealand. It is the best protection possible for the workers, the employers, and the country as a whole, and this Government will not allow that protection to be jeopardised by anyone. “At the same time, the Goverhment will be scrupulously fair in its dealings with workers and employers and will not allow anyone to misuse the forms and machinery of the law to frustrate legitimate demands by either side. “In view of the rather premature outburst by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holyoake) in this afternoon’s papers,” added Mr Nash, “I would suggest that the people have not forgotten how much more serious disputes under the last Government were given scant attention by the newspapers

in an attempt to justify the Nationalist Claim to have brought industrial harmony to New Zealand. Now, at the first hint of unrest, no matter how short lived, we have big headlines back again. “That sort of behaviour by Mr Holyoake and the press, while attempting to score points off a Labour Government, is certainly not conducive to the industrial, harmony which they profess to seek. “There may be more to say on this subject tomorrow,” said Mr Nash, “but at this stage I want to assure the country that the law relating to industrial disputes will be implemented by this Government without fear or favour. /

“We will not prejudge any case on the basis of newspaper headlines, and we ask the people, too, not to be swayed by prejudice. In all cases we shall immediately seek the facts, and act accordingly. “All disputes must go to conciliation and, failing an agreed settlement, they must go to arbitration. Decisions of the Arbitration Cpurt will be upheld.”