“LIKE A TON OF BRICKS”

Evening Star, Issue 22351, 29 May 1936, Page 6

“LIKE A TON OF BRICKS”

MINISTER'S THREAT TO EVADING EMPLOYERS DISMISSAL NOTICES QUOTED IN HOUSE GOVERNMENT WEAPON IN RESERVE [From Odr Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, May 28. A definite warning that he would take action against employers who were seeking to evade their responsibilities under the new industrial legislation was issued by the Minister of Labour (Mr Armstrong) in the House when an Opposition amendment that the clause in the Shops and Ofiices Amendment Bill providing that occupation in any shop should count for the purpose of determining the rate of payment to an employee who transfers to another shop should be struck out.

The Minister sprung a surprise on the House by reading a notice dismissing 16 girls employed in a Wellington shop, and offering to retain their services in a temporary capacity with a prospect of permanent re-engage-ment later on. The notice, which was dated May 27, reads as follows :

Miss , we regret that we find it necessary carefully to reorganise our staff. We are sorry we have to give you one week’s notice. We are prepared, however, to re-engage you temporarily at the expiration of this notice, and we have every hope that we may later be able to confirm a permanent appointment. In fact, we are quite sure this will, be done.

“ This is the type of employer who is defended by the Opposition,declared the Minister amidst Opposition protests. Ho added that if the Opposition did not let the clause go through they were supporting that kind of thing. . ■ , “ I know what’s going on,” he exclaimed vehemently. “ I know there is a conspiracy going on between some Of the leading lights of the legal profession with the object of getting employers out (q| their responsibilities. Let me warn them that they won’t get away with it.

If they do get away with it now the legislation to be brought down to prevent it will be made retrospective.” ..... Mr Broadfoot (National, Waitomo): You are threatening. “ Yes, that is a threat, and I mean it,” retorted the Minister. “ I am going to see that this legislation when it becomes law is going to be respected, i will come down like a ton of bricks on any humbug who tries to get out of it. You can call that a threat if you like.”

The honest employer was not opposed, added the Minister, to the subclause. The dishonest employer wanted it struck out, and he wanted it in the Bill for the purpose of dealing with the dishonest employer. Four or five Opposition members were on their feet the the Minister sat down, and Mr Dickie (National, Patea) was called on. ,He referred to the Minister having worked himself into “ such a fine frenzy ” over the Bill, and said that anybody wonld realise that after a boy had been in a job six months he was worth more than a hoy just starting. Unemployment was increasing as the result of the Government’s legislation, and l in his town the registrations were increasing at the rate of eight a week. Mr Wright (Independent, Wellington Suburbs! said he was sorry the Minister had become so heated over the discussion of a particular clause. Mr Fraser: Heated over the notices. Mr Wright: Nobody can stand behind a thing like that.