N.Z. LABOUR RELATIONS

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31384, 1 June 1967, Page 14

N.Z. LABOUR RELATIONS

League Calls For Inquiry A request that the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) call a Royal Commission to investigate all aspects of labour relations in New Zealand with a view to preventing stoppages the country could not afford was contained in a motion passed by the Canterbury Progress League last evening. Proposing the motion, Mr H. E. Radley said the country could not afford the costly disputes. He was not saying the workers were always at fault by any means, but the present tribunal system had failed, and a better system must be found.

Mr E. P. Clancey agreed there were too many stoppages, but said he felt the league should have more information before it did anything. Mr C. L. Austin opposed the idea of a Royal Commission. There had been a tremendous number of Royal Commissions in the last few years, and he did not think a commission on labour problems would serve any useful purpose. Mr C. L. Martin, who did not favour the motion, said New Zealand's record of labour relations was not bad. Speaking of the recent railway strike, he said "The Press” was probably the most outspoken newspaper in New Zealand and it was significant that it had supported the point of view of the strikers.