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DRIVERS' CLAIMS.

LABOUR MINISTER'S VIEWS. CONSTITUTION OF AEBITEATION COUJIT. A deputation from the Drivers Unions' Federation Conference yesterday waited upon fhe Hon. G. Laurensan, Minister for Labour, aad placed before him matters arising out of the recent conference. Mr. lioberteon, M.P., introduced the deputation. The Minister, m reply, said come very important questions had been raised, ■which would receive his careful consideration. He did not think it would answer for union secretaries to inspect wages and time books ; but if more inspectors were required to overtake the work that might receive attention. With regard to inspection of employers* books as to partnership and other matters, he feared that the line would have to be drawn to prevent anything like a charge of being too inquisitorial. Drivers' hours, ho agi'eed^ were most unreasonable. They certainly should "be limited, j and if anything could be done to limit them he would endeavour to do it. The limit of hours could be fixed by the Government, and the Court could act under that. Men engaged in carting had as much right as any other men to reasonable hours. With regard to the Presidency of the Arbitration Court, to appoint a business man of the kind suggested by the deputation would involve a very big departure. He believed there was a good deal of force. however, in what had been said in reference to the need for a man with practical knowledge. It could not be denied' that there had been a good deal of dissatisfaction wjth the Arbitration Court, especially during the past two or three year*. But they ought to do all they could to maintain the respect for and confidence in the Court of all classes of the community. He did not know what 6tepa would be taken in the matter, but he believed some steps were necessary^ with regard to the Court In the immediate future. A universal half-holiday, he agreed, would be productive of nothing but .good. He was strongly in favour of it, ' and especially for Saturday. Th© matters brought up in reference to the raifrvavs he would refer to his colleague, the' Minister for Railways." As to contracting out of awards, he would— after the press had withdrawn— submit to the deputation a proposal to overcome that I difficulty. This would then be printed and submitted to the unions. In conclusion, he laid stress upon the importance he attached to courtesy on, the '^part of all Government officials in every 'Department. Courtesy he -regarded as .a sine qua non, ranking 'next to.hon- . esty. l

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19120412.2.46

Bibliographic details

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 87, 12 April 1912, Page 4

Word Count
427

DRIVERS' CLAIMS. Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 87, 12 April 1912, Page 4

DRIVERS' CLAIMS. Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 87, 12 April 1912, Page 4