PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 238, 5 September 1928, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS.

ARBITRATION AMENDMENT BILL.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND EMPOWERING BILL. ft

Yesterday afternoon tlie House of Representatives discussed at considerable length the Church of England Empowering Bill, which was read the second time.

The most important matter in the evening was the debate on the second reading of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill which was agreed to.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS,

CHURCH OF ENGLAND RILlf.

On the motion of the Prime Minister it was agreed that on and after Wednesday, September 5, and for the remainder of tho session Government business take precedence, on Wednesda3 y s. Tire Prime Minister, in reply to the Leader of tho Opposition, said that this motion would not endanger local bills and so far as private members’ bills were concerned possibly some arrangement could be made by GovernorGeneral’s message. PROVINCIAL BUILDINGS. The Canterbury Provincial Buildings Vesting Bill was introduced by rtlie Prime Minister who explained that the Minister of Lands would be chairman of the board which would consist of the Canterbury and Westland members of Parliament. There must ho at least one meeting of tho board each year. Ample powers were given to the board to control the Canterbury Prqv in dial Council Chambers, wliich was the purpo.se of the measure, Mr Howard approved of the bill and thought, that tho Government had been generous in doing that the bill proposed because the building concerned carried with it much sentimental value to Canterbury. As a return Ire would like to see the City Council of Christchurch be equally generous and exchange the sito of tho city markets for additional land adjoining the old provincial buildings. The policy of the bill was also endorsed by Messrs Kyle,' Seddon, Burnett and H. Holland.

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Sept. 4. Tho House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The second reading of the Church of England Empowering Bill was moved by Mr W. J. Girling (W.airau), who explained that tho bill had passed through tho Legislative Council, and was necessary in order to preserve the identity of the Church and so preserve its property in view of possible amendments which might be made in tho formularies of the Church. As the bill was going to a special committee he did not propose to discuss the details at that stage, but would reserve what he had to say as to its particular clauses.

Mr A. Harris (Waitemata) said that he hoped the House would not pass tho bill which would enable tho Church to adopt a revised Prayer Book such as that recently rejected by the House of Commons. The bill Had to bo closely watched in case it created considerable dissension among the members of the Church. There was a widespread feeling that somo of tho clergy of tho Church were tending toward the Church of Rome, and therefore he hoped the special committee would closely scrutinise the measure, as any alteration in the present form of worship should be viewed very seriously. Hon. J. A. Young (Waikato) said that he had recently been waited on by a deputaton whcli pointed out that the bill proposed to make very radical changes in the doctrines and teachings of tho Church. With that he was not so much concerned, but it had been stated that from time to time bequests had been made to tho Church on the basis of the unamended doctrine. If it was not proposed to alter that doctrine, then it 'was diverting the purposes of the beciuests, and this should not be done lightly. Mr H. G. Dickie (Patea) defended the bill, and said he would support it because tho safeguards provided were so complete that he saw no danger in it. Mr H. Atrnore (Nelson) said that lie had been approached along the lines mentioned by Mr Young, and much might be said in that connection. Ho also approved of what Mr Harris had said because there was an impression that there' were those in the Church who were not loyal to the faith of tho Church. SERIES OF QUESTIONS. Mr Atrnore read a scries of questions which had been submitted to him, and to these questions he requested an answer from the mover of tho bill: (1) Why should the Book of Common Prayer be altered P (2) Is the present form and manner of making bishops invalid? If so, why? If not, uhv are alterations necessary? (3) What articles are to bo substituted for the 39 articles as clearly defined in the doctrines of the Church? (4) What are the new formularies to bo adopted ? (5) What is wrong with the authorised version of the Bblo? (6) What version is to be used instead? ' . (7) What parts of the Scriptures are to be altered or deleted? (8) Who is to be authorised to censor tho Bible? Proceeding, Mr Atmorc that that the Anglicans of New Zealand would look to Parliament to protect their interests. There was a movement in England on the part of a number of Anglicans .to adopt another form of communion. They were, of course, entitled to do this, but they should not do it under the shelter of the Church of England. They should not endeavour to change or divide the existing Church. NOT A NEW MATTER. Mr Girling, in reply, said the subject of the bill was not new. It had been raised in 1874 by Bishop Harper, who had endeavoured to get some alterations made, but without success. Later, in 1895, the question had been revived and among its opponents was Archbishop Julius who feared that if changes in doctrine were made the property of the Church would be endangered. The result of a famous case in Scotland justified that fear, but the matter had been recently canvassed by all sections of the Church, and the provisions of the bill had been generally approved. It did not mean that if tho bill were passed the changes were to be made immediately. It was purely an Empowering Bill. Had the revised Prayer Book been adopted in England it could have been adopted in New Zealand on a bare majority vote. To safeguard that position this bill had been put forward by the General Synod. If the revised Prayer Book proposal was put forward it would have to be submitted to the Church people of the Dominion, and a two-thirds majority of tho General Synod would also have to approve it. In addition, the bill contained a provision for a Court of Appeal, so that ho did not think any bill promoted in the British Empire contained greater safeguards against radical alterations beiim made suddenly ' in the formularies of the Church. The bill had no connection in any way with the discussion which had recently been going on in tho Waikato diocese, and so far as lie personally wag concerned he would not associate himself with the nill if it did not give to tho Church that measure of freedom lip thought it should have. He had not been able to make notes of the points raised by Mr Atrnore, but these could bo discussed in committee. In conclusion, lip desired to assure the House that the bill amply safeguarded the doctrines and teaching of the Church so far as it concerned the Holy Communion. The bill was read a second time.

Mr McCoombs regretted that tho bill did not go far enough to include tlie provincial buildings. However, lie hoped some day the Government would become more generous. The Prime Minister, in reply, said that the building had historical associations for moro than the city of Christchurch. It was associated with the development of the whole of Canterbury and Westland. He. however, saw no objection to a sub-com-liiitteo of the City Council taking over its immediate control. Tho bill was read a first time. AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. Tho remainder of the sitting was devoted to a discussion on tho annual report of the Agricultural Department which was laid on the table by the Minister of Agriculture. CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION When tho House resumed at 7.30 p.m. the Prime Minister moved the second reading of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill. He said that tho bill followed upon the statement made by him in the House recently upon tho conference which met to consider whether our arbitration system should continue or whether it should be amended. At present certain awards were in a state of suspense, and tho bill did no more than enable those so affected to go to tlie Arbitration Court for an award. Another conference would be held, and tho Government would give legislative effect to tlie decisions arrived at. Some of these decisions might be given legislative effect this session. Mr Coates said that ho was pressing for that, but if not this session lihen it could be done next session. Tho Opposition might say that there was some doubt about that. Mr Holland: We will see to that. Mr Coates said it was very good of tho lion, gentleman, but whatever Government came into power he presumed the commitments of one Government would he to some extent given effect to by the next Government. Replying to an interjection, Mr Coates said that he did not stand for a reduction in wages or in the standards of living and when he did anything in these directions lie hoped his attention would be drawn to it. FLAXMILING' INDUSTRY.

Ho then proceeded to outline tlie dispute between the llaxniillers and their employees wliich resulted in the ilaxmills being closed and tho succeeding negotiations which had resulted in a temporary, agreement to have tho mills started again on a reduction of wages of ten per cent. That reduction, however, was agreed to on the understanding that the millowners' working accounts were examined and the possibilities of the industry ascertained. If tho industry with llax at £24 10s per ton could not pay moro than 13s Gd per day, then it was open for tho men to say whether or not they would continue in the industry. If flax went up to £3O per ton, then he thought the workers should participate in that increase. With tho basis such as tli.'it lie hoped a better spirit would prevail between tho millowners and their workers, and that the industry would lie re-established on a satisfactory basis. With regard to the primary producers, they were uneasy, because they felt that that working costs were being increased without their being consulted. He did not agree with everything that the Labour leaders said, hut there were indications that many _ of them were deeply desirous of arriving at industrial peace. He was one who believed that to-day tho worker was a man of equal intelligence with the employers. At least wo should ho arriving at that stage now since so many advantages were given to people in all walks of life. That being so, it should be possible to arrive at some workable agreement in disputes. INDUSTRIAL PEACE WANTED.

! He was satisfied tliat tliis country | could never make the progress wo would ! all like to see it make unless wo had i industrial peace, whether wo got that , industrial peace by round-table agreo- ! ments or by compulsory arbitration. There was no doubt a strong feeling in the House that tho Arbitration Act I should bo amended, and in some eases I drastic amendment was demanded, but

DANGEROUS DRUGS RILL,

the present legislation went no further than tho legislation of last year. Until a further eonfereneo was held, Mr

The Minister of Health gave notice of his intention to introduce the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill. !

Coates, appealed for an active exhibi- , tion of healthy co-operation between i all employers and employees.

WAGES AND DISPUTES. Tho Leader of *ho Opposition, Mr H, E. Holland, said tliat no doubt tlio wages question was ono about which -there would always bo disputes. It had been so since the wage system was first established, and tho roots or tho difference went deep into history. Tho practical question to-day was whether an industry winch could not pay a living wage was wortli supporting Ho thought not, because the first thing about any industry was that the people employed in it should have a reasonable standard, of livnig. Coming to the flax industry, Mr Holland said he doubted if any married man could live and bring up a family on 13s Gd per day. In lus opinion, the fixation of 13s 6d per day was a breach of the award existing for that industry. The Prime Minister had been called in to patch up that dispute. Tho Prime Minister had appealed for a spirit of friendly co-opera-tion, but only within tile last few davs the sheepowners had refused to meet tho shearers’ representatives and •this bill would give the shearers no recourse. What was the Prime Minister going to do about that. Ho regretted tliat the House bad not been allowed to finish tho discussion on the report of the Industrial Conference before this bill was brought down. They would then have had a better understanding of the position. He, however, hoped that in those industries where grievances existed the employers would agree to meet then employees in conference and not take up the attitude of the sheepowners. Had tho workers refused to meet the employers there was no doubt pressure would have been brought to bear to compel them <to do so. So far as the flaxworkors were concerned, Mr Holland said it would have been better to have given them a subsidv as the apple-growers were given rather than to have dropped them down to the level 13s 6d per day. He did net propose to appose tho bill. NO VIOLATION OF ACT. Sir John Luke said that tlio bill was no violation of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. 1 merely postponed arbitration until the National Industrial Conference could resume. He hoped -that many extraneous matters would not bo introduced into the debate, and so prejudico the prospects of future conterelMr'A. E. Hansom (Pahiatua) said that it was quite clear that the nax industry could not pay the present award rate of wages of los per daj, and to save the industry it might be that the workers would have-to accept something less than the award rates. Ho looked to a spirit of co-opeiation as the true solution of labour problems, but there must be co-operation on both sides. It could not be all on one side Mr W D. Lysnar (Gisborne) said that 95 per cent', of tlio workmen were good men, but five per cent of agitators wore interfering with them. It a. man did a good day’s work an agitator came along and said,: “You are doing too much,” and so now it was almost impossible to get a good man in any line. He hoped that the next conference would result in a better spin being cultivated between employers and el Mi° s McCombs (Lyttelton) said that tho Prime Minister had agreed to have the books of the flaxmillers examined in tho hope that the investigation would result in a reduction of wages, but ho had not taken any steps to have the books of the sheepowners examined because that was a prosperous industry. If he had the right to intervene in one case he had the right to intervene in the other. ' Mr W. A. Yeitcli (Wanganui) said that to secure industrial peace on a basis of voluntary conferences was no doubt a very fine ideal, but there must always be a final arbitrator to determine points upon which no mutual aaroement could be arrived at. -tie hoped that the House would hesitate before it abolished the method of setting disputes by means of arbitration. \li- J \ Ix;o (Auckland East) said that tho Reform Party was always claiming a human standard toi the farmer, but no such claim was made for the farm labourer. Tho Labour Party wanted to see a human standard for all workers.

PRIME MINISTER REPLIES. The Prime Minister, replying, said it was satisfactory to find the Leader of the Opposition in general accord with the steps tlio Government was taking to bring about stabilisation m industrial affairs. Ho had been twitted with intervening m the flaxnuu dispute, but he had done so m the interests of both parties at the request of independent citizens who represented to him that the dispute was doing great mutual injury. It was not because the Government was opposed to the Arbitration Court that that case was not referred to the Court. .The Government was not opposed to the Court and it was an outrago to sav that tho Reform Party stood for the state of tho labour market existing at the time the Arbitration Act was passed. He had never advocated a reduction of wmges or of standards of living, which was more important, and it was not to reduce wages hut to got tho industry restarted that ho had intervened in tho flaxmilling dispute. He had not been approached to intervene in tho sheepowners’ and shearers’ dispute. No deadlock had been reached in that industry, as in the case of the flax industry. The spirit of tho world to-day was tending towards conciliation and ho urged that this spirit should ho made to apply to the industrial life of New Zealand. Ho thought that the Government was taking a wise course in assembling another conference. The Rill was read a second time.