WAGES SAFEGUARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 November 1929, Page 10

WAGES SAFEGUARD

LABOUR IN CANADA. VANCOUVER, October 16. ' One of the first countries to establish a separate department in the National Government devoted to labour matters is Canada, whose Department of Labour was founded by Federal legislation in .1900, with a view to aiding in the prevention,- and settlement of industrial disputes. A short .review of its functions is interesting by virtue of the contrast it affords to similar governmental functions in Australia and New Zealand. . In only 38 of the 708 disputes since 1907 under the Industrial Dispute Investigation Act was a cessation of work which threatened not averted or the strike which had been entered upon not ended. The “fair wages” policy of the Government of Canada, which has been in effect since 1900 under successive administrations, is applicable to federal public works involving expenditures of millions of dbllars each year, and aims at the protection of the legitimate interests of workers, by securing for them a wage rate and hours equal at least to those which are generally observed by other employers in the districts in which the works- ale being carried out. f The Fair Wages branch of the Department of Labour is charged with preparation of schedules of -current wage rates, which are inserted in Dominion Government contracts, and must be adhered to by contractors in the execution of such works. Fair wage conditions are also inserted in contracts fox* the manufacture of certain classes of Government supplies, and in contracts for all railway construction to which the Dominion Government is guaranteeing financial aid, either by way of subsidy or guarantee. More recently still the Government has adopted the practice of including fair wages conditions in licenses for the cutting of pulp wood on Dominion lands and the development and operation of water powers in Western Canada.

The example set by the Dominion Government for the protection of workers in federal contracts has been copied in many provinces, and has been widely adopted by municipal and other public bodies throughout Canada. The experience gained in its operation shows that the policy has been of the utmost value to labour in establishing working hours in different branches of employment.

Workers’ interests are also conserv. ed by the Combines Investigation Act, which declares in a general way against combines which have operated or are likely to operate to the detriment of the public, whether consumers, producers, or others. Any six adult citizens may have an investigation started and carried on at Government expense if they have reason to believe that a combine against the public interest exists or is being formed. A special Commissioner, with wide powers in the way of examing records and compelling the attendance of witnesses is appointed. Anyone convicted by the Court in subsequent proceedings is held guilty of an indictable offence, and is liable to a penalty not exceeding £2OOO, or two years’ imprisonment, or, in the case of a corporation, to a penalty not exceeding £5OOO.