ARBITRATION ACT.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 613, 2 July 1908, Page 4

ARBITRATION ACT.

REVOLT OF WORKERS. MINISTERIAL CONDEMNATION. MR MILLAR WANTS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. [PEB PRESS ASBOOIATION.J Wellington, July 1. Speaking at a presentation to the Hon. J. Rigg, the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Labour, referred to the difficulties of solving the problem of the relation of capital and labour. The amendments to the Arbitration Act wanted by some were rejected by others. What was wanted was a fair contract. The Government wa» prepared to go as far with labour legislation as ever it had gone in the past. The present position was not satisfactory. He wanted an opportunity to amend the Act. If it was not found more effective then they could repeal it. A considerable number of members of Parliament had stated they intended, if possible, to repeal the Arbitration Act. That would be one of the worstthings that could happen. Certain classes of skilled workers could protect themselves, Act or .no Act, but unskilled labourers and women required the protection of the Act. It had been of the ereatest benefit to them, and its repeal would put them in a terrible position. The information that there was a movement in the House to repeal the Act was of the very best. They were willing to repeal it immediately. If he could not get the assistance of the workers he could not hold to his point to maintain the Act. The Unionists were striking in defiance of the law, and other Unionists throughout the country were passing votes of sympathy. If that was the general feeling and the men wanted to strike, it was quite clear that they did not want the Arbitration Act. Ifsrikes were wanted by the workerß, well, the best thing was to do away with the Act. W T hat was the good of amending the Act, if the workers wero going to ignore it. He did noi know what moment he might get a telegram announcing a strike. Tln> conclusion was that the workers were in revolt against the Act. The Labour Department had fairly and honestly tried to administer the Act. Of the fines inflicted on employers 93 per cent, had been collected, while 73 per cent, of the fines imposed on employees had been paid. Over £700 had been collected out of the £1750 inflicted on. the slaughtermen, and another £260 was being collected by weekly instalments. There had been no distinction made in administering the Act. Judgment summonses had been issued against employers and employed when the fines were not Said. This was a most critical year, le wanted to solve the problem. The country had been prosperous, but was now going back a bit, and it was a bad time for the workers to strike. The workers did not realise the present position, and it would be his endeavour to save them from themselves.