HON ARMSTRONG

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1937, Page 6

HON ARMSTRONG

VISIT*: TO WASHINGTON.

(United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, August 13

The New Zealand Minister for Labour (Mr Hv T. Armstrong) yesterday interviewed the leader of. the Commit tee ,of i Industrial Organisation (Mr J. L... .Lewis),j f Mr Armstrong told Mr •Lewis that, he personally favoured the industrial, type, of union, but did not feel,;it. proper, to “jam it down thenthroats. ”

' Mr, Armstrong obtained the general impression, from Mr Lewis .that. New yyfis s4igad of. the United States .byiinjany years, in the development of its,,,labour programme, and-that Mr Lewis, was engaged in organisational work, which the New Zealanders had accomplished in past years. , Mr Armstrong said that Mr Lewis, while opposed to compulsory aibitration, might s find his . opinion changed within a few years. He was convinced that New Zealand workers had better wages and greater purchasing power than most workers in*the world.

The Minister expressed the opinion that the American dole did not compare in size with that in New Zealand.

He said the New Zealand Government was considering the introduction of a blanket system of insurance for all citizens, who would receive help in the event of incapacity ’or unemployment. The scheme should be borne by tlie workers instead of the. taxpayers. He added that an appeal to the Privy-Council on the clerical workers’ award decision would not be necessary because Parliament, at its next session would enact the law again, defining the position of "white-collar” workers.