INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20255, 24 May 1940, Page 2

INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL

STATUTORY PROVISIONS RELAXATION DISCUSSED ADDRESSES BY MINISTERS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Industrial Emergency Council, set up under the Emergency Regulations Act, 1939, met at Parliament Buildings yesterday. The council, which comprises representatives of all phases of industry, including farming and shipping, both on the employers’ and the workers’ sides, has met frequently since the commencement of the war and has dealt with many important industrial problems arising out of the war. The meeting yesterday was presided over in the initial stages by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb. Later the Minister was called to an urgent meeting of the Cabinet, and during his absence Mr. A. McLagen was the chairman. Amongst matters considered were applications from employers for a relaxation of the apprenticeship proportion owing to the war efforts, the re-establishment of workers in industry on their return from war service, a ratification of a rationing agreement entered into between a company and its workers, and a relaxation of the statutory provisions regarding overtime in factories engaged in the production of war materials. The matter of relaxing other conditions in statutes or awards which restrict or impede production for war purposes was discussed and referred to a sub-committee which met later. Later in the meeting the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, and the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, addressed the council and gave an outline of the Government’s action and intentions to further the war efforts.