OUTSIDE THE ACT

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 200, 21 May 1936, Page 10

OUTSIDE THE ACT

Domestic Servants and Similar Workers DELETION OF CLAUSE Notification of the deletion by the Government of the clause in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill providing for the coverage under awards and industrial agreements of workers employed otherwise than for jieeuniary gain to the employer, was given by the leader, Hon. AL Kagan, in the Legislative Council when the Bill was in the committee stage yesterday. This provision brought domestic servants, gardeners in private employment and similar classes of workers under the scope of awards or agreements, and it was vigorously attacked by Opposition members in the House of Representatives. The clause would have repealed clause 154 of the principal Act, which lays down that awards and industrial agreements apply only to workers employed for pecuniary gain. The position now is that clause 154 stands as before. Any grounds for the fear that union officials might call at private residences Juts been removed to the satisfaction of opponents of this part of the measure. The deletion of the clause does not mean that workers coming under clause 154 of the principal Act may not form unions, but any unions formed will have no standing to apply for an award or negotiate an industrial agreement.

Speaking in the Council, the lion. It. Masters (Taranaki) expressed appreciation of Mr. Kagan's efforts in having the clause removed. His remarks were greeted with approval by other members. The clause was formally withdrawn in committee by vote of the Council.