N.Z. LABOUR

Grey River Argus, 16 August 1937, Page 4

N.Z. LABOUR

AHEAD OF AMERICANS Hon. Mr. Armstrong INTERVIEWS C. 1.0. LEADERS. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] ( Received August 15, 7.4 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 13. The New Zealand Minsiter of Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong, yesterday interviewed Mr Lewis (head of the C. 1.0. movement). He informed | Mr Lewis that personally he favoured the industrial type of union, but he did not feel that it was proper to “jam it down their throats.” Mr Armstrong obtained the general impression from Mr Lewis that New Zealand was ahead of the United States by many years in the development of a labour programme, and that Mr Lewis was engaged in organisational work which New Zealanders had accomplished in past years. Mr Armstrong intimated that Mr Lewis, while he is now opposed to compulsory arbitration, may find his opinion changed with the years. The Minister is convinced that the New Zealand workers have better wages and greater purchasing power than most of the workers in the world. He expressed the opinion that the American dole did not compare in size with New Zealand’s relief. He said that the New Zealand Government is considering the introduction of a blanket system of insurance for all of-the citizens, who would receive help in the event of incapacity or unemployment. The scheme should be borne by the workers, instead of by the taxpayers. Mr Armstrong intimated that an appeal to the Privy Council on the recent clerical workers’ decision would not be necessary, since Parliament, at next session, would enact a law again defining the position of the white collar workers.