LABOUR OFFICE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 101, 9 April 1936, Page 7

LABOUR OFFICE

Reorganisation Bill Widens Its Activities UNEMPLOYMENT MATTER (Bv Teleffrnnh—A Mociatioh » WELLINGTON, April 8. Proposals for the reorganisation of the Labour Department and the widening of its activities to a marked extent are set out in the Labour Department Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives today. The bill provides that the Secretary of Labour shall be the adminis trative head of the department under the control of the Minister. He is to be charged with the administration not only of the original Labour Department Act, 1908, but also of the Master and Apprentice Act, Servants Registry Office Act, Agricultural Labourers Accommodation Act, Wages Protection and Contractors’ Liens Act, Footwear Regulation Act, Labour Disputes Investigation Act, Part I. of the War Legislation Amendment Act, Shearers’ Accommodation Act, Factories Act, Shops and Offices Act, Workers Compensation Act, Scaffolding and Excavation Act, Apprentices Act, Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and Weights and Measures Act.

There is also provision for the department to be charged with the administration of the Employment Promotion Act after its passage through the House. This is expected to result in the Labour Department taking over the functions of the Unemployment Board. The Bil) confirms the present Secretary for Labour, Mr J. S. Hunter, in his appointment, and provides for the appointment of an assistant-secretary, who will have power to fill the higher office during any temporary vacancy. All members of the Public Service holding office in the department or engaged in the administration of any of the Acts now to be administered by the department are to be confirmed in their appointments, and authority is given for the appointment of additional officers if necessary. The Minister is empowered to delegate any of his statutory powers to tho secretary if he desires to do so, but the Bill makes it clear that the Minister will remain absolute head of the department. Schedules to the Bill show that with regard to .the Master and Apprentice Act, 1908, and the amendments of 1920 the Minister of Labour will take over the duties formerly carried out by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Immigration,