Consultations offered

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32634, 16 June 1971, Page 1

Consultations offered

(New Zealand Preet Association) WELLINGTON, June 15. The Acting Minister of Labour (Mr Thomson) said tonight on television that consultations had taken place between the Government, the Federation of Labour and the Employers’ Federation before the enforcement of part 3 of the Stabilisation of Remuneration Act.

Asked on the “Gallery” programme why the Government had taken drastic steps without adequate consultations, Mr Thomson said that on Thursday both the Employers’ Federation and the Federation of Labour were told that he was recommending to the Cabinet the implementation of part 3 of the act He had also offered further consultations, Mr Thomson said. “Tve done everything the act requires.” When the interviewer, David Exel, asked why consultations could not have taken place earlier, Mr Thomson said that he had had to have the recommendation of the Cabinet and caucus before the other parties were consulted.

“One must do this. It’s no good chasing hares,” he said. “I don’t think it would have made any difference if the matter had been referred to the parties earlier.” Tok! by Mr Exel that Mr Skinner disagreed about this, Mr Thomson said he had not

yet had a chance to talk to Mr Skinner.

Mr Thomson denied that the clash between the Government and the unions might result in a snap election. “This is not 1951 and Government does not want industrial unrest We want any possibility of avoiding direct confrontation,” he said.

Mr Thomson said that if the unions wanted to know the reasons for the Remuneration Authority’s decisions, they should approach the authority themselves. "The authority is ready to hear the unions tomorrow,” he said.

Mr Thomson denied that his refusal to tell the parties the reasons for the authority’s decision was an attempt to force them to go back to the authority.

“It is not the Government’s responsibility to tell the people this,” he said.