WAGE CLAIM DELAYS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30212, 17 August 1963, Page 14

WAGE CLAIM DELAYS

Court’s Diverse Functions (Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 18. Principals of the Arbitration Court were being called on to serve in directions quite separate and not in any way connected with the normal functions of the Cceirt. said Mr N. V. Douglas (Opposition, Auckland Central) in Parliament today Concern had been expressed in the industrial movement at undue delay in settling disputes referred to the Court. There was the case erf the 25-mile limit passenger bus drivers’ dispute, which first came before conciliation in February. It was. on the workers’ applies taion adjourned till April 8 and then referred to the Court It appeared it would be five to six weeks before the Court could deal with it If. eventually, the workers were given, say. 5s a week increase, they would have lost this much for about six months, or an aggregate of £6 10s or so. This was an appreciable sum for a busdriver but the bus-proprie-tors would be saving money. If this sort of delay were going to continue, the Government should give effect to a policy of retrospective payments from the date conciliation proceedings began, said Mr Douglas.

Wtiy should workers be forced to accept a loss brought about through no fault of theft’ own. when the principals of the Court were being used for other tribunals in no way concerned with industrial matters?

Waltamata Candidate Squadron Leader A. G E Pugh, al Whenuapai, has been selected as National Party candidate for Waitemata.— (P.A)