A VOIDING DISPUTES

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30471, 19 June 1964, Page 3

A VOIDING DISPUTES

IN.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 18. Employer and employee organisations both were attempting to arrive at suitable agreement to deal with the problem of the apparent victimisation of workers who took an active interest in union affairs, the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) said in Parliament today. Mr Shand said the I. C. and A. Act gave some protection to employees, but the matter was under consideration and proposals had been submitted to both employer and employee organisations. Mr S. A. Whitehead (M.P. Nelson): Are you not entirely happy? Mr Shand replied that 40 per cent of industrial disputes arose from alleged wrongful dismissal. This often resulted in stoppages. “We are searching for a solution before stoppages take place,” said Mr Shand. It was a “complex business” and was going to take a great deal of research. Mr N. V. Douglas (M.P. Auckland Central) asked whether the circular sent to employer and employee organisations had been received favourably or unfavourably. Mr Shand said it had been rejected by both sides. “It was framed somewhat provocatively and covered a very wide field. The reaction received was expected.” Savings Small savings reached a record £28.1 million, excluding interest, for the year ended March 31, 1964,' the Minister of Finance (Mr Lake)- replied to Mr D. J. Carter (M.P. Raglan). To Mr W. A. Fraser (M.P. St. Kilda), Mr Lake said the percentage of increase was due, in part, to the establishment of trustee savings banks.

Pensioner Cottages The Government would continue its scheme for the provision of subsidies and lowinterest loans to local bodies to enable them to erect pensioners’ flats at little or no cost to ratepayers, the. Minister of Housing (Mr Rae) told Mr Fraser. Loans and subsidies authorised last year were £916,100, three times more than in 1961-62. Mr Rae said he had no plans for recommending that the Government enter the field of constructing pensioner housing. Superannuation A special Cabinet committee would study the question of superannuation allowances of retired public servants, the Prime Minister, Mr Holyoake, told Mr W. A. Fox (Opp., Miramar).

Mr Holyoake said he did not know when the committee’s report would be available or when a decision would be made. Arms Offences

Pointing an imitation firearm at any person without lawful or sufficient purposes becomes an offence punishable by up to three months’ imprisonment or a £lOO fine under an Arms Amendment Bill introduced today. Presenting a firearm, loaded or unloaded, whether or not it can be fired, will also be an ' offence.

This closes the loophole of a recent Court ruling that a firearm with the bolt removed was not legally a firearm.

Further provisions forbid the fifing or use of firearms in a way likely to endanger safety of persons or property or with reckless disregard for safety of others, firing them in or near a house, and firing them without reasonable cause in or near public places to the danger, annoyance or fright of the public. Contract Queried Mr P. Blanchfield (Opp., Westland) will ask Mr Holyoake next Tuesday if he intends to protest to the British Government against a £1 million contract for truck and bus chassis Vauxhall Motors. Ltd., has accepted. New Zealand troops might at any time be used to defend Malaysia- from invading Indonesians.

Bus Accidents The Government accepted full liability for negligence on the part of any driver of a Government-operated school bus leading to injury of the children aboard, the Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine) told Mr A. D. Dick (Govt.. Waitaki). . Where children were farepaying passengers aboard privately-run buses they were covererd by third-party insurance.