ARBITRATION ACT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 2 November 1927, Page 9

ARBITRATION ACT

UNIONISTS’ OBJECTIONS

EVIDENCE BEFORE COMMITTEE VIEWS ON PIECE WORK. (by TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 2. Evidence regarding the Industrial Conciliation Arbitration Act Amendment Bill was taken before the Pailiarnent Labour Bills Committee to-day, Mr. Robinson (Dunedin), representing 43 unions, with a membership of 11,UOO. Under cross-examination he said that the fear of victimisation had prevented men from coming forward as arbitrators, so that the best men would not be obtained. A proper constitution of the court would give the judges an opportunity of altering the awards. Piece work of the kind set out in the Bill would strike at the roots of trade unionism. Piece work made for carelessness and accidents in dangerous occ options. To- the Hon. Mr. Anderson, witness declared that his statement that judges could break the awards was correct. The judge and two assessors could make an award, but the judge alone could break the result. Tiie Minister said that witness knew that it was only in cases where new matters were introduced. To the question whether a worker who did his best should not be paid more than a man who did not, the witness said the employer coaid dismiss an indifferent man.

Giving evidence on behalf of dairy factory employees, Mr. O-’Byrne (Southland) said that they wanted the protection, afforded -by the couct. If the Bill were carried, they would go hack to the dark ages and would have a dozen men applying for one position. The Act was tliei-r sheet anchor, it would be practically impossible, under clause 16, for an agreement to be made between an employer and his employees.

THE NEW CONSTITUTION. CANTERBURY BUILDERS DO NOT APPROVE. CHRISTCHURCH. Nov. 2. “T think the farmers are rather shortsighted in pressing for the exemption from ■o"-"-' '* : -i <>f the Arbitration Act.” said Mr .T. W. Graham, when the Canterbury Builders’ Association had before it a- copy of the Bill recently introduced to amend the present Act. “They are mope liable.” he added, ‘‘to be held up by a small strike at the season of the vear when they waliit workers.” It wag decided: “That we do not consider the proposed constitution of the court to be an improvement on the present constitution.”