PARLIAMENT D

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 80, 5 April 1932, Page 11

PARLIAMENT D

[TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. to*day. Replying to Sir James Allen, -who asked a question as to the work'of the Committee set up to consider 'the question of the superannuation funds, the Minister of Educat/m (the Hon. E. Masters), said: "The matters , which were referred to the Committee dealt principally with the adjustment of anomalies existing between the various funds. A review of the representations j•which were made shows that the adjustments referred to would^involve expenditure^—a course which could not be favourably considered at |!the present time. These matters, how- ■ lever, are really only subordinate to the [question of the financial stability of the •iunds—a matter which has caused grave •concern to Government. The National 'Expenditure Commission has made certain, investigations into the position, 'and it is; hoped that, the Commission (.will 'be able to advise Government as fto a fair and equitable method of enabling the funds to attain a degree of financial solvency. The adjustment of anomalies and the improvement of-the financial position of the funds are ,<=o interwoven with the general finances of the country that it is proposed to defer action pending consideration by Government, of the report of the National Expenditure Commission.' ' THE ARBITRATION BILL. In moving the second reading of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill, the Leader of the Council (the Hon. Sir James Parr) said he did not propose to send the Bill to a Select Committee. "■ 3 provisions of the Bill had been exhausti^efy discussed both inside and outside Parliament, and all that could be said hadbeen • said, both on the part v of employers and the employees. The amendment was a'drastic 'one; The note stressed by the Bill, said >Sir James, was one of conciliation and goodwill. I Conciliation Councils in the past had been regarded as mere chan- . nels to the Court,-and he was afraid every effort had not been made to spttlo disputes in the Councils. The Government proposed to make an important concession to women workers for whom a minimum wage would be secured. ,Tho women would have the right to approach the Conrt and ask that a minimum wage should be £xod Sir James made it clear that the concession would apply solely to wages and not to hours and general conditions. ■ ,1 (Proceeding). I