PARLIAMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 139, 14 May 1936, Page 9

PARLIAMENT

INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION CRITICISM OP HIGHER COSTS More was heard of the new industrial legislation in the House of Representatives, yesterday, when the debate on the Factories Act Amendment Bill was continued. Tlie Minister of Labour claimed that an overhaul of the Act was long overdue. Opposition members strongly criticised the provision for a 40-hour week and stressed the danger of increased costs arising from this. The Upper House had a lengthy debate on the Primary products Marketing Bill, in the course of which Hon. M. Fagan claimed that the Government had a mandate to guarantee prices of primary products.

THE WORKING WEEK

FACTORIES BILL DEBATE. OVERHAUL~AIMED AT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 13. Moving the committal of the Factories Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-day Hon. H. T. Armstrong said it was on the lines of the Shops and Offices Bill and he thought members of the Opposition would not take up the time of the House discussing an innocent measure 1 of that kind. Revisioi of industrial laws was well overdue, and he believed that even if no change of Government had taken place the last Government had reached the decision that an overhaul was needed. In the Bill they were dealing with conditions existing in factories in New Zealand. Although it might be said the Conditions were better than in other countries, they were not what they should be. He went on to explain the various clauses of the Bill. Hon. A. Hamilton said all the Government’s restrictive legislation must increase costs, but the Government did not seem to be at all concerned. He thoughr. the reduction of hours from 48 to 40 was too drastic. Overtime rates would be heavily increased. He agreed with the inclusion of the “backyard” factory provision and thought there were some good things in the Bill. He thought the Arbitration Court was not being allowed to use its discretion in making a 40hour -week as it should. He took strong exception to the clause covering dairy factories and was glad the Minister intended to amend the clause. He said small factories would find it impossible to apply the principle. They would have to go out of existence. If the 40-hour week were brought in gradually it might be workable, but it had to be introduced on July 1 under the- Bill. The time spent in one factory would count if f man transferred to another factory. It would mean that a man would have to stick to one factory. The Bill provided for eight holidays in the year for which employees would have to be paid, but if a worker had to work on a holiday he would liav'e to be paid double time and also for the holiday. That was the way ho read the Bill, but if the Minister and lawyers in the House said that was not so, that was all right. Mr Armstrong: They will get double pay. Mr Hamilton said there were many things in the Bill that would be contacted. The Bill would increase costs, and unless that could be stopped the worker would obtain no benefit from increased wages. Mr C. H. Chapman said the Fac : tories Act had not really been overhauled since 1908 and many persons would receive benefits from the amendments now proposed. Mr Chapman said some people feared the changes that were occurring, but they had to overcome that fear or with the advent of the machine the worker would be in a desperate position. The aim of the Bill was to increase employment, and when overtime rates were made prohibitive there would be less overtime worked. Mr S. G. Holland said he was all for a 40-hour week wherever it was practicable, and where 44 hours were worked before he thought the hours could be reduced by 10 per cent., but he considered the general application would be found to be not so successful as was anticipated. He said the Bill prevented the employer paying a beginner more than the minimum provided in the Bill. He claimed that the overtime rate was out of all proportion to the ordinary rate. He quoted the case of one employer whose wage costs would go up 43 per cent, under the Bill. Mr F. W. Schramm thought no member could object to shortening the hours to 40. He said the tendency all over was to still further shorten the < hours so that people could enjoy more leisure. He considered the provision made for employers to be forced to 1 take any steps to safeguard the em- ; ployees was a good one. He thought < Mr Armstrong would come to be recog- : nised as one of the best Ministers of Labour New Zealand had ever seen. ] “WOULD CREATE ABUSES.” j Mr W. J. Poison said the Bill placed j an added burden upon industry to the i tune of more than 70 per cent., and 1 tlie Opposition had to attempt to prevent tnab class of legislation exploit- j ing the country to benefit one section- - the community. Mr Poison said the i Bill would create greater abuses than ; it proposed to remedy. He contended that the increasing of costs during the s first twelve months was more impor- • taut than most members realised. Or- « ders would be lost to competitors and i employers would be forced to reorganise : the whole of their businesses. The cost! ■ of New Zealand goods would go up. He i said the proportion of wages to the cost of production was greater than ■ the Minister had stated, and said the ' proportion would be not less than 35 per cent. Many businesses would go 1 out of existence unless substantial tariff 1 protection was given by the Govern- 1 ment. The undoubted result must be 1 to prejudice New Zealand industries and increase costs. If the employer dispensed with employees because of ' increased costs duo to the Bill, that was a breach of the law and the employer would either have to close up or go bankrupt. Mr C. L. Hunter said the Opposition surely did not consider the conditions tliat existed in New Zealand to-day were all that could be desired. Regarding statements that factories were going to close down because of the Bill, that had been said many times in the past under similar circumstances, but factory production had increased and he believed it would continue to increase in the present case. The shortening of hours, too, would make for fewer accidents to employees. He considered at the present time that waste was going on in many factories nnd many were being uneconomieally run. A great saving could be made if those matters were attended to. He was satisfied the Bill would be commended from one end of the country to the other by people who believed in giving decent wages and a decent standard of

living to the worker. Mr Hunter discounted the statements that not more than the minimum wage provided could be paid and said that was incorrect. The employer could pay an employee £lO per week if he so desired. Mr W. A. Bodkin said the interest in the 40-hour week was intensified during the slump period because of the ' large numbers of people who were out of work. Tlie International Labour . Conference had approved of the prin- | ciple of the 40-hour week, but it had exempted certain industries. Did any , member believe the employer of capital , in industry was going to accept a I lower profit ? Profit on capital would j be added to tlie price of the commodity and the cost of living would go up. The debate was adjourned and the House rose at 10.30 p.m. ‘ ALSATIAN DOGS. OPINIONS DIFFER. ON NECESSITY FOR CONTROL. The second reading of the Alsatian ! Dog Bill was taken in tlie House of ; Representatives to-day. lit. Hon. J. G. Coates said the Alsatian, he was informed, had a wolf 1 strain in it and it had been known to turn on strangers and bite them. He ' thought the Bill was on the right lines i and believed the Alsatian dog was “a ,' gentleman who could not be trusted ’ I very far,” and his activities should be J curtailed. The responsibility was left by the Bill to local authorities to say . whether the Alsatian should be allowed ‘ within their areas. , Mr W. J. Poison 6aid the Bill did , not provide for the extermination of | the Alsatian, but that dogs should be properly looked after. It was a pecu- : liar thing that wherever that breed , had been given its liberty it had at- , tacked human beings, almost causing death. He could not say whether there ; was any wolf strain in the Alsatian, : but he could sav the Alsatian was a dangerous animal and should be dealt , with. These animals had attacked people on numerous occasions and had ! boon a matter of comment by magistrates. The proof was so overwhelming that the animals were dangerous to human life a.nd the evidence so ghastly, oven their owners being attacked by them, that something should bo done. The Alsatian was certainly an outlaw. Mr AV. T. Anderton said the Alsatian was no more savage than the collie dog, which was equally as treacherous. The Alsatian was the most intelligent of all dogs, and to muzzle them would be an act of cruelty. It was clue to the inability of the owner to understand the dog that the animal turned on him. The Alsatian would not worry sheep any more than any other dog. Mr C. M. AVilliams said postmen and other persons who had to go from door to door lived in constant terror of the Alsatian. It was not just that the fads of a few persons should be given preference over the safety and comfort of the mass of the people. The Alsatian was a. danger to human life. Mr H. S. S. Kyle said the Alsatian had a bad name because he had been described as a wolfhound, which was all wrong. Tire Alsatian could be developed into a first-class working dog, but if he had to be kept 6olely for show purposes he was liable to get out of hand. That was largely the fault of the owner. The Bill was read the second time. BROADCASTING BOARD. MANAGER’S QUALIFICATIONS. In the House this afternoon Rev. G. Carr asked the Postmaster-Gen-eral (Hon. F. Jones) whether he is in a position to supply the following information : (1) Did the Broadcasting Board advertise for a general manager when it took over the service; (2) on whose recommendation was the general manager appointed; (3) what business ability, musical, literary, dramatic or other cultural attainments or experience did the general manager | possess when appointed to fit him to direct public entertainment of the nature and scale demanded by tlie national service; (4) what post did the general manager occupy in the Post and Telegraph Department when appointed to the new position; (5) similarly what are the ordinary avocations and special qualifications of the members of the board appointed by the previous Government to direct the national broadcasting service; (6) is the Government in favour of superannuated State employees being employed in the broadcasting service:' The Minister replied: (1) I understand tlie position of general manager was . not advertised when tlie Broadcasting Board assumed control or tlie service; (2) I am informed that the appointment of the general manager was made by the board after it had satisfied itself of the appointee s _ suitability; (3) I am not in possession of any particulars regarding the qualifications of the general manager in the direction sought except that tlie appointee had considerable experience of wireless management in the General Post Office; (4) the general manager before his appointment occupied the position of principal in the telegraph division of the Genera lost Office which position he resigned to take the present position. The Minister then set out the members of the board and their occupations, and said the Government had no jurisdiction in the choice of employees of the board. SATURDAY HOLIDAY. NO COMPULSION. Replying to a question in the House to-day by Mr AV. M. C. Denham, the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) said it was not proposed to legislate to provide for a qompulsory universal holiday on Saturdays. Provision is already made in-the Industrial Conciliation "and Arbitration Amendment Bill that the Court of Arbitration shall, when fixing at forty the maximum working hours, endeavour to fix the daily working hours so that no part of the working period falls on a Saturday. The legislation now before the House will result in a five-day week being adopted in many industries.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. FRUIT FOR CHILDREN. STATE PROAHSION URGED. The following written answers to questions were supplied and discussed in the House this afternoon: Mr A. C. A. Sexton had asked the Minister of Education whether he will, when providing for the supply of milk for children in schools, make similar provision for a supply of fruit for children in country schools ? Hon. P. Fraser replied: It is the intention of the Government to organise as soon as practicable a supply of milk for school children (wherever it is required). The Government further hopes, by means of its general economic policy, particularly by increasing the purchasing power generally, to increase the consumption of fruit by both children and adults. THE AVOOLPACK INDUSTRY. Mr T. D. Burnett lind asked the Minister of Industries and Commerce whether, seeing that it is announced that it is the policy of the Government to impose a levy of at least 4d per bale on all wool in the interests of wool propaganda and investigation, it is advisable to put an additional impost of 4d to Gd per puck in the inter- , ests of the flax woofpack industry ? _ Hon. D. G. Sullivan replied: It is not the intention of the Government at the present time to increase the price ' of flax woolpacks to provide a fund as suggested. The Government, how- ! ever, have under consideration proposals for the stimulation of the flax industry by the introduction of improv- : ed methods of treating green leaf and by the installation of efficient textile machinery to produce woolpacks and other products equal in quality to ; similar products mado from other fibres. , KILLING OF LIVE STOCK. Replying to a question by Mr C. M. AVilliams, Hon. AY. Lee Martin said the necessity for the finishing and dressing of export carcases being up to a. high standard is fully realised by all concerned, as the attractiveness of meat plays a large part in the marketing. It is proposed therefore to undertake at an early date an investigation, in conjunction with the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, into the various methods of killing live stock in ■ freezing works. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LIMITS. | Mr T. H. McCombs, on behalf ol ’ Hon. AY. E. Barnard, had asked the 1 Minister of Education whether a child can be legally compelled to pass a primary sciiool which is nearer to the 1 child’s home to attend another school ' where there is greater accommodation. Hon. P. Fraser replied : The Education Amendment Act, 1924, provides that in order to prevent overcrowding • in a public school an education board may, with the approval of the Minis- ' ter and under certain circumstances, limit the attendance at such a school in such a manner as the board de- ! termines. In the exercise of this power ; by the board it may be found tliat a child is compelled to pass a primary school which is nearer to the child s home to attend another school. ! PARTLY UNFIT UNEMPLOYED. Mr S. G. Holland had asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the intention of the Government to make available from the Employment Promotion Fund or other source funds to enable those wiio are not m a physical ■ condition to periorm manual labour to maintain their families in a reasonable state of comfort. Hon. H. T. Armstrong replied: AYhere individuals are not unlit lor any class of employment they will receive assistance by way of sustenance provided the- are otherwise eligible. Where, however, such men are unlit or unavailable for some class of employment they will receive from the Hospital Board assistance according to their circumstances. The matter of making further provision for tlie most necessitous of these cases is at present engaging the attention of the Government. THE PRICE GUARANTEE. UPPER HOUSE DEBATE. LEADER’S CLAIAI TO MANDATE. In the Legislative Council to-day, in moving the second reading of the Primary Products Marketing Bill, tlie Leader of the Council (Hon. M. Eagan) said a complaint had been made that the Government did not have a mandate to put the Bill into law, but lie was satisfied from inquiries he had made that the subject of guaranteed prices was made a plank by the Prime Minister when be toured the Dominion before the election. It also had been said in some quarters that a disposition had been shown to hurry the Bill through the House and that the dairy industry had not had sufficient time to consider the measure. Because of the importance of the Bill the Government were particularly anxious that all sections of the community, and particularly, farmers, should have a thorough grasp of the contents of the Bill before it became law. It was correct to say that never before in the history of the Parliament of New Zealand had any piece of legislation been so widely explained as had the Bill now before the Council. Broadcasting had been availed of, and on a conservative, estimate it was considered that at least half a million people had listened to the broadcast from the House .of Representatives and many persons had written to the Prime Minister expressing appreciation of the broadcasts. Many had stated they were opponents of tile Bill before the broadcast, but alter hearing the speeches they had become supporters of the measure. Mr Fagan said he had no destructive criticism to make about the marketing as carried out by the Dairy Produce Board, but the Government was confident that a vast improvement could he made. He thought, and many others agreed, that New Zealand might well follow the Danish system. The Dane did not sell his produce openly, but followed his produce from the home to the consumer and allowed- nobody to take it and blend it. The speaker’s experience when in England was that there were no complaints about New Zealand butter, but the difficulty was that, except in very small instances, New Zealand butter was not obtainable. It was bought in Tooley Street and lost its identity at once, being mixed with foreign butter and being sold as Empire butter. From the Government’s point of view there were good merchants in Tooley Street, and in saying that he was referring to merchants with wide connections among retailers. He thought tlie Government would bo able to retain those merchants. There was another element. There had been gambling with foodstuffs from New Zealand and he hoped the Government would be able to eliminate that type. He was referring to the firms that bought New Zealand blitter as a speculation and held it for six months or so in the hope of making a profit of 6d or 9d per cwt. It was the aim of the Government to establish New Zealand butter in Britain as New Zealand butter, and by so doing they hoped to double the amount of butter consumed on the British market. The speaker said there was nothing in guaranteeing a price for farm produce. In Japan there was a pool for the producers of rice, and several ,

European countries had schemes by which dairy farmers received. ia minimum price for butter and other produce. A guaranteed price for came siigar had been in operation in Queensland for many years and the British Government had agreements with its farmers to ensure a guaranteed price for milk, etc. There was a guaranteed price for wheat in New Zealand. The present Bill went a step further. In. other countries the guarantee related to home consumption, but under the Bill the Government would take the dairy produce and control it and the benefits that would accrue would be that the dairy farmer would know exactly what his income would be. He would not have the liabilities and responsibilities he had previously. MANDATE DISPUTED. Hon. It. Masters said he agreed that the words “guaranteed price” were used at the election, but he was not sure the details of how the scheme was to be worked out were put forward. He contended that nothing had been said which would lead the public to believe the arrangements under the present legislation would be put into operation. Ho submitted further tha.t the Government had not received a mandate from the farmers. The different statements made throughout the Dominion were contradictory, and he contended that before the Bill became law the farmers should have the right to say whether they approved oi the proposals. The farmers lia.d been led to believe that if there was a guaranteed price the exchange would be done away with. The Prime Minister had said that any deficit would not come out of taxation, and the Minister of Pittance had said that it would have to be met by the people of the Dominion. Further, Mr Nash had stated that the guaranteed price scheme was not to be brought in till after arrangements had been made with Britain. A lie farmers must have been satisfied from what had been said that New Zealand would get the goodwill of Britain before a guaranteed price scheme was brought in. Messrs Nash and Fagan had said that if there was any surplus it would be available for expansion of the industry, but Mr Nash lia.d said in Dunedin that the loss or gain would go to the nation, and that was putting the Government in exactly the same position as Tooley Street. Hon. B. Martin said the farmer had the right to be placed on the same footing as those engaged in other industries. If the best possible market for the farmer was tne Government, then the farmer would be under an obligation to the Government. It was nonsense to suggest that the farmer was being subjected to confiscation. No protests were being made bv the farming community against the BillHon. J. Cotter said lie supported the Bill as a representative of the farming community, and he claimed to ha.ve some knowledge of the manner in which fanners viewed the measure. Hon. T. Bloodworth said the Bill would increase individualism. There were difficulties in the Government s path, but the Government realised that the difficulties were only opportunities. DEPRECIATION OF CURRENCY? Hon. R. McCallum said the Government was to be commended for . its attempt to help the farmers. The whole trouble of the Rill would be to stop depreciation of the currency and steps should be taken to prevent that. Hon. W. Perry said it was not so easy to make reciprocal agreements as might be thought. Ho failed to visualise where the overdraft limit would be. Hon. F. Waite said that good margarine on the Home market was a limiting factor for the price of butter. Had the Government made any estimate as to what the loss would be on the first year’s operations? He thought it wise for the Government to fix the local price for retail shops. Sir James Allen wanted to know more about the financing of guaranteed prices by an overdraft on the Reserve Bank. Could Mr Fagan explain his statement that no interest would be paid? It seemed that the country was embarking oil a period ol inflation by printing Reserve Bank notes. Hon. E. R. Davis said he could not support the Bill, which marked the beginning of the socialisation of production. He suggested that Mr H. H. Sterling should be engaged by the Minister of Marketing to _ supervise the sale of dairy produce in London. He commended the Government on its desire to stop gambling by Tooley Street. The Danish system should have been adopted years ago. Mr Perry hoped the Bill would be successful, but feared it would not. Hon. J. Alexander said that once the price of New Zealand butter rose too high there would lx 1 competition from margarine. After Mr Fagan had replied the second reading was carried and the Council rose at 12.25 till 11 a.m.