LABOUR LAWS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 53, 26 November 1929, Page 12

LABOUR LAWS

NEED FOR REVISION — * INQUIRY TO BE MADE An announcement that investigations would be commenced early in the New Year with a view to securing improvements in the law relating to workers’ compensation, and the control of shops and offices, was made yesterday by the Minister of Labour (Hon. W. A. Veitch). Mr. Veitch said that the Shops and Offices Act was in a chaotic condition, and he did not consider it would be at all a simple matter to devise satisfactory legislation, as fairly strong conflicting interests were concerned. However, he had no doubt that with the exercise of a little tolerance and commonsense it would be possible to arrive at a position that would improve the whole administration of the Act. Workers’ Compensation. As for the Workers’ Compensation Act, continued Mr. Veitch, that question would require very careful consideration from every point of view. He thought the time was ripe for a review of the existing practice and conditions. The problem was a very complicated one, and certainly it would not be possible to satisfy' everybody. “But,” added the Minister, “I do believe that without seriously increasing the cost, we can >reate conditions that will be more helpful to those who suffer from accidents in industry.” Legislation dealing with both the shops and offices provisions and workers ’ compensation was introduced durin ’ last session, but the Labour Bills Committee recommended in each case that the Bill be not proceeded with, in view of the intention of the Minister of Labour .o hold investigations during the Parliamentary recess.