The Factories Bill.

Hastings Standard, Volume VI, Issue 1651, 15 October 1901, Page 4

The Factories Bill.

(By Telegraph.) Wellington, October 14. In the House of Representatives last night, on the motion for the third reading of the Factories Bill, Mr Arnold said he was sure the country as a whole would receive the measure with a great amount of satisfaction. Discussing the position in regard to labor legislation, he said the unrest that had been referred to so much of late had been caused by a section of the Press and employers, who thought by raising a cry they would engender a feeling that would be of advantage to th9m in eighteen months' time. He paid high tribute to the Labor Bills Committee for the work it had done in connection with this measure last session, and during the present session, and he thought the treatment it had received in being shorn of several objectionable features was evidence of the moderation of that committee, and was a complete answer to the cry that the Government and Labor Party were trying to run the country unfairly. He ridiculed the assertion that labor legislation was causing industries to be closed down, and pointed to the large increase in the number of factory bands throughout the colony as a complete answer to that charge. Mr Houston said he approved a great deal that the Bill contained, especially the embodiment of the eight hours prinoiple, but as a country member he strongly protested against other provisions which he considered would most injuriously affect the country districts. He contended that under the Bill overy private house in a country district that did its own washing and ironing, and every store in the eouotry district that employed labor, would be constituted a factory. Mr Bollard said as one who desired to be just to employer and employed, he was glad to see that the Labor party had so modified their views compared with what they wanted four years ago. The Labor party had at first put in the Bill provisions that would have caused an industrial war, but had modified their views after great pressure from outside.

Mr Massey referred to the fair and reasonable treatment the Bill had received, and expressed the hope that it would be further improved before it was finally placed on the statute book. He contended that many people were still afraid to invest money in out industries, and he thought we should in future devote our energies to restoring industrial confidence" Mr Herries considered it a blot on the Bill that Government premises did not come under its provisions. Mr W. G. Russell quoted figures to 3how the large increase that had tf.ken place of late in the importation of articles that might well be made in the colony. Tttere was an undue amount of importation going on in certain lines, and the enormous and unexpected increase as shown for one year, viz., 1899-1900, led him to ask how far these things might be the result of our labor laws. So far as the bill itself was concerned, he considered it a good one, but he would have preferred to have seen the Government come under its operations, although he admitted the Premier's attitude on this point was a reasonable one.

Mr Collins replied to Mr W. G. Russell's remarks concerning the in* crease in the importation of certain articles, and contended that the Customs revenue from the goods quoted by the member for Riccarfcon had simply increased in proportion, as the revenue from all other goods had increased in what was an extremely prosperous year, viz., 1900. The increase that had taken place simply showed the great prosperity of the colony. He pointed out that employers who had come before the Labor Bill Committee had invariably spoken in terms of praise of the labor legislation of the Government. At this stage the Bill was re-com-mitted and, on the motion of Mr Symes, a new sub-section was added to clause 20, to provide that in case of persons working in bush sawmills at logging, breaking down, and saving rough timber, oyertime for the extended hours worked during the week shall only be payable in respect of such time exceeding 48 hours. Mr Hogg thought there was a good deal in what Mr G. W. Russell had stated as to the importation of articles that could be locally manufactured. It was time, he considered, for a warning note. He had been an employer in the country himself, and had found that if he complied with all the union demands he wouid have to close his business.

Mr Flatman qnoted factory satistics to show the advance of the industry under labor legislation. Mr Barclay combatted the contention that the demands of the unions militated against the industries of the colony.' Mr Meredith entirely concurred in the warning note sounded by Mr Hogg, who had always been the friend of libor. There was undoubtedly a feeling of unrest in the colony, and it was time we had a period of industrial peace and quietness. Mr Fisher believed the Bill would be beneficial to employer and employed, but he agreed that the country had had enough of labor legislation for a time.

Mr Thomas Mackenzie said he thought the Premier recognised that as far as the agricultural and mining population was concerned they had been rou3ed to a point of self-preser-vation. Labor legislation had been promoted for the interests of the cities, and the whole of that labor was contingent upon the success of mining and agriculture. Small farmers were awakeniDg to the true position, and the time was coming when all kind.s of labor would be treated alike. Mr Seddon, in replying, said- the Bill, in its application, would be for the benefit of both employers and employed. No one regretted more than he did the attempt that had been made in the House to set up a feeling between town and country. The feeling in the country was engendered by those who, for political reasonßt were

endeavoring to widen the difference between country town. He said those who had invested money in ndustries had found better security with labor legislation than before. The third reading was apreed to on the voices and thr' Biil passed, the House rising at 12.20.