EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13583, 12 September 1908, Page 6

EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYED.

HOW THE MEASURE IS REGARDED. [by telegraph.—-special correspondent.] Wellington, Friday. . ' The Employers' Federation approves of the principle of suspending an award when a strike takes place, and considers that the suspension should be automatic without waiting for a sitting of the Court or the hearing of the case by a magistrate. Mr. Arnold, whose views as a Labour member in regard to the Bill as amended were sought to-night, stated that he thought the measure if passed in its present form would prove fairly acceptable to both employers and employees. In view of the friction that had attended the working of the conciliation boards, ho thought it was absolutely necessary that they should cease, and he regarded the new provision which stipulated for three representatives from each side, with the addition of a commissioner, as a step in the right direction, although, of course, everything would depend upon the selection of the commissioners. The striking out of the imprisonment clause was very satisfactory, indeed, the provision in regard to the attachment of wages being quite sufficient to ensure the enforcement of all findings. "Satisfaction," he said, "will also be felt amongst the workers at the striking out of the needs and exertion wage dause. This was the only, clause upon which a division of the committee took place, and it is only fair to the Minister to say that tho credit of almost every amendment belongs to him."