INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION

Evening Star, Issue 22575, 17 February 1937, Page 9

INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION

PROSPECT OF AMENDMENTS LABOUR PARTY CAUCUS [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 16. There is a prospect of several important amendments to the recent Indus trial legislation being submitted by the Government during the session of Parliament this year. The desirability of some alterations in various enactments affecting industry was threshed out today by the Labour Party caucus in Parliament House. “ We have been discussing the various industrial activities of the department under the administration and control of the Minister of Labour (Mr Armstrong),” said the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) after the caucus had finished. “ In fact, industrial legislation, both past .and future, engaged the attention of members throughout the whole day. There was a thorough discussion of desirable amendments to various industrial laws, including the Shops and Offices Act, and several suggestions were made in the light of the general experience, operation and effect of the new measures brought into force by the Government. The idea of the party as a whole was, as it has been from the beginning, that every member should study the operation and results of our industrial legislation in each electorate and report frankly on the experiences of the respective constituents and the need, if any, for amendments. This does not mean that we axe looking at the question merely from the workers’ point of view. It means dealing with the industrial law, not only in the best interests of tho workers, but also in the best interests of industry and trade and the whole community. For those reasons the caucus discussed further suggestions as to what improvements can be made in the way of amendments.” The Prime Minister added that on the following day the caucus of the parliamentary members of the Government Party would discuss a report by Mr J. A. Lee. Parliamentary Under-Secretary to tho Minister of Finance, on the State housing scheme and the Government’s policy as to its development. The caucus would also consider a report from the Minister of Pensions (Mr

Parry) on the working of the new Pensions Act.

Close on 50 members attended the caucus, the absentees being accounted for by letters and telegrams.