MINISTER CRITICISED

Evening Star, Issue 23324, 21 July 1939, Page 10

MINISTER CRITICISED

ENFORCING OF AWARDS DEPARTMENT HOT GETTING SUPPORT IT DESERVES REGENT LEGISLATION UNNECESSARY [Per United Press Association.] CH.R ISTC'HU'BCH. .Inly 21. Mr H. Kilpatrick, secretary of the Canterbury Freezing Works and Kola ted Trades Union, came out as a critic of the Minister of Labour (Hon. I*. Webb) this morning when commenting on tho I.C. and A. Amendment Act, which gives tho Minister power.to deregister unions and cancel awards. He declared that the local Labour Department was not getting the support it deserved from the Minister, and contended that if Mr Webb gave his department full support in enforcing awards an amendment to the Act was u nriecessary.

“ A question which is still giving the local union concern is the matter of tho enforcement of tho provisions •of the freezing works award in regard to dining and dressing accommodation,” said Mr Kilpatrick. Those provisions were made by Mr Justice Hunter in December, 19.'<7, and were to come into force on or after May 15, 1938. “ I am pleased to say that most of the companies are doing their best to comply with these provisions, with the exception of one firm, and it is this company which is likely to be the cause of some industrial disturbance which may affect the whole industry locally next season unless it falls into line with the rest of the companies. We have stated the question clearly to the Minister, and consider it is now up,to him to support his department in seeing that this company observes the award. More than sufficient time has been given for tho provisions to be complied with, and any disturbance which may ensue cannot possibly be laid at our door. The workers have been more than patient, and they are not likely to be deterred by the recent amendment to the I.C. and A. Act, which gives the Minister power to deregister unions and cancel awards.

" I will say definitely that, provided the Minister gives his department full support in enforcing awards, his recent legislation is entirely unnecessary.”