PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 97, 21 October 1936, Page 13

PARLIAMENT

TODAY'S PROCEEDINGS

HOtfSE Of REPRESENTATIVES

The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. today.

Mr. R. A. Wright (Independent, Welvlington Suburbs) asked the "Minister of Labour: (1) Whether he.is aware that in one large union in Wellington the employees are called upon to pay their ~ .union fees quarterly in advance, and 'receive neither receipt for the money ■; nor membership cards? (2) Whether M.ithe union secretary is .justified in de,.,,manding fees from the staff without first enrolling them as members of the 'union? (3) Whether it is according to r iaw that shop assistants and other '"workers should be .automatically en- " rolled as members of a union without '' the option of attending a meeting conyened o for the purpose? . "'•'. Mr."Armstrong replied: "(1) Some " unions' issue membership cards, although these are not absolutely necessary, but I am not aware of any union that 'does not give some form of receipt for moneys paid in by the '"'. members. ; (2) Employees must first Vbe members of a union before union ':7'ifees can be demanded. (3) The rules "-'of industrial unions of workers gene- " -rally provide that members shall be admitted to membership on making '""written or tiral application to the sec*'l% retary or some other authorised official. In some cases the entrance fee '•"is payable when the application is ■•" made while in others the entrance fee ' 'may be paid subsequently; The subsequent contributions are payable as "prescribed by the rules, a rebate on -the usual-weekly subscription being '■•generally allowed when payments are '•"made in advance for a quarter or ■' 'some longer period, as such periodi••^cal payments save time and expense >r.dn the collection of the contributions." ~,,.. Mr. Wright asked the Minister of '.v ".Public Works: (1) Whether there was much delay in restoring "cuts" to maintenance workers engaged in , electricpower stations operated by his Depart? ment; and whether.they were still required to work forty-eight hours per week as against: forty hours enjoyed by others working on-the same plant. (2) Whether he would see that compensation was paid to these workers. Mr. Semple replied: "Practically all tthe maintenance workers engage"! in "' electric-power stations operatea by the , Public Works Department ~ are under the control of the Public Service Commissioners. The forty-hour week has jiot yet been applied to all classes of . "maintenance workers under such con"'"frol, but all such workers have now liad all 'cuts' restored, and are back '" ',to the 1931 conditions. Overtime has 'also been paid from July 1 last." ''Z-,' KARORI SOLDIERS' CEMETERY. „■■', Mr. Wright, asked the Minister of ',-Jnternal Affairs: (1) "Whether the Gov- .:. .eminent had decided to purchase the additional ground required for the en-J-largement of the soldiers' cemetery at -icKarori? (2)-.lf soj would'a vote for ~ the purpose be placed on the Supple.mentary Estimates this session? \-:. -.v The Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of -•Internal Affairs, replied: "The ques'■•'tion of the acquisition of additional land adjacent to the soldiers' block at '•KarprrCemetery'to provide for future ' "'burials has been taken up by the Wel•'■lington Returned"Soldiers' Association n'' with the Wellington City Council, and ""the latter body has inquired as to whe- : <<"ther it will be possible for the Government to financially assist in such pur- - "■"chase.. This/matter is at present under vi'considefalion by thefGovernment. 7' ;' ""'Mr/ Wright (Wellington Suburbs) '•■asked;the Minister of Railways-^(l) ■■' Whether he was aware that bus-driyers '•"■'on' the Wellington-Hutt route were 'working on an average forty-eight "liours per wgek. (2) Whether he would" '""introduce the 40? hour; week as.had "'been done ,'by many private firms, and thus provide the bus^drivers with the same amount of leisure time as .was :: enjp^ed, by others engaged in similar • ' bcciipations. ■■■;."■ Mr. Sullivan replied: "Negotiations dealing with rates of pay, .working conditions, and hours of labour, are already in progress." :. ■ Mr. Wright asked the;, Minister of Railways—(l)' Whether, he was. aware that certain members of the Railway Officers' Institute were not enjoying the benefit of the 40-hour week, and were working 48, : .or more hours per -.•(week., . (2) Whether steps would be Vntaken' to place those officers on an ..equality with other railway servants tJ as far as hours of labour, and payment '.-fit Overtime were concerned. . ,I<; Mr. Sullivan replied: "Of approxi--i-mately 3000 officers ■ employed in the ;, First-Division' of the Department, at J. least tworthirds are actually enjoying - ; a 40ihour week or less, and the same ■•• -conditions will apply to the balance • of the clerical staff as soon as the cir..xumstances will permit." ..■ U JOINERY FACTORIES. Mr. Wright asked the Minister of , Finance. whether, the Government "would supply potential home-builders '.'.'with the.necessary material for houseT.'jjuilding from.their factories at prices ".irtot in excess, of those charged for provided for buildings constructed 'under the .Government' hous■'ing scheme? < : : . "-■Mr. Savage replied: "The exact V-policy under which the joinery factories will be operated is not yet- decided, but when the question is under discussion the point brought up by the' honourable member will be given consideration." Mr. Wright asked the Prime Minis--t_d) er: Whether he was aware that a number, of officers in the Internal Affairs and Customs Departments who suffered a reduction in their annual leave during a period of depression had not had their leave restored. (2) Whether he would take steps, to place t ~the|e officers in the same position that ''they occupied prior to the reduction ' indicated. ■ v Mr. Savage replied: "I am aware that >'.: a number of officers in the Internal .-Affairs Department, the Customs De-,-partment, and certain other Departments have not had their annual leave ■ to what it was prior to 1931. I am informed that "the reduction of •■■six-days was made mainly because the i regulation under which the additional ;"<Jeave was granted did not apply to li.the employees referred to. The whole '"matter of annual leave is being looked 'into in connection with hours of duty and working conditions generally." **,;...' (Proceeding.}'