OPPOSITION HAS DOUBTS ON INDUSTRY BILL

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32430, 17 October 1970, Page 2

OPPOSITION HAS DOUBTS ON INDUSTRY BILL

(NZ Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct 16. Opposition doubts about whether the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill was an answer to industrial unrest in New Zealand were expressed in Parliament today. In the final, third-reading stage of the bill, which tw had an easy passage through the House, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) said that industrial harmony was dependent on economic stability. “I hope, though I can’t be-

lieve, that this bill will result in improved industrial relations in New Zealand,” he said. The bill includes provision for a model disputes clause, establishes procedures for the settlement of disputes, and allows the appointment of industrial mediators in all industries. Mr Kirk said the provision of mediators and the improvement of communications between employers and ei - ployees would not necessarily result in industrial harmony, unless the Government intended to do something to arrest the declining purchasing power of the dollar. He said there had been no heated contest about the passage of the bill through Parliament. One of the difficulties in

implementing the provisions regarding industrial mediators would be to find persons who were experienced in industrial relations but who were not identified too positively with one side ot the other. Sir Leslie Munro (Nat., Hamilton West) said he had not heard a word from the Opposition on the outrageous wage increases which had led to price rises. Sir Basil Arthur (Lab., Tirnaru): The other way around. Mr E. E. Isbey (Lab., Grey Lynn) questioned the emphasis that had been placed on men as mediators. Many women could do the job admirably, he said. Mr Marshall said the word men embraced women. The bill was given its third reading.