PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14202, 26 October 1906, Page 4

PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS.

PROPOSED FOR THE GOLD MINES. DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, October 25. When the Mining Act Amendment Bill (Hon Janies M’Gowan) was considered in committee yesterday afternoon a motion to give preference to Unionists where gold-mining is concerned was discussed. The Hon A. R. Guinness (Grey) moved as a new clause that “ employers who require men for employment in gold mines shall employ members of the Industrial Union in preference to non-members, provided that there are members of the Industrial Union competent to do the work and ready and willing to undertake .it.” The mover stated that the clause was suggested by the Miners’ Unions of the West Coast. He thought’that, as the_ House had endorsed the general principle of preference to Unionists, it should support its application to an industry which was dangerous to life and limb. The Minister of Mines'stated that the clause was inappropriate for the Act. He would support it if it appeared iii the propertplaoe, which would be in an amendment of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. Mr Massey (Franklin) pointed out that, in any award of preference by the Arbitration Court, it was always provided that the Unions should, be open to all men who paid the entrance fees. This safeguard was not included in the clause, which would enable; the Un’on to become a close corporation. The majority of members snowed ,a desire to divide without further discussion. Mr Lewis (Courtenay), however, got in a short speech, during which he declared that the Arbitration Court should be maintained in its inintegrity, and not allowed to.be flouted and degraded by a number of men who knew absolutely nothing about thematter in comparison with those who comprised the Court. The Hon A. R. Guinness stated that he was quite willing to add a sub-clause on the lines followed hy the Arbitration Court, when awarding preference to' Unionists. ' , / The House divided on the new clause, which was defeated by 38 to 27. A clause which gave the Mi" : ster power to grant or refuse a certificate of competency, upon the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, was struck out after a discnss'on, during which Mr Baume. Mr Bollard, and other members urged that concisions should be given to students of mining by shortening the prescribed term of practical experience. An opposite view was- taken by the Minister, who held that practical experience was exceedingly important, and that five years was not too long a period. The House agreed to, a clause providing that time and a half should Wpaid’ to miners working on Sundays and holidays, and the Bill was reported. If was subsequently read a third time and passed. '