“NOT WITHOUT LEGISLATION”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7049, 10 February 1910, Page 1

“NOT WITHOUT LEGISLATION”

WELLINGTON INDUSTRIAL EXHI* BIT10N: A DIFFICULTY. PROBABLE POSTPONEMENT. The Wellington Industrial Assooia*. tion, in proposing a big industrial exhibition to bo held for five weeks during May and dune, reckoned without the stringent provision in . tho Shops and Offices Act restricting tho employment of assistants to between the hours of 9 a.m. and (i p.m. An endeavour was made to find a way out of the difficulty in an interview yesterday with tho Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Labour, but the Minister could give no assistance. Mr E. Bull, president of the associa > tion, explained that they proposed holding the exhibition in ono of tho Harbour Board’s wool-sheds which, would then be available, and they desired the Act to be extended so that assistants could be employed each night until 10 o’clock. The Minister: Not without legisla. tion. ■

Air Bull remarked that the exhibition was fixed to start before legislation could possibly be got through, but he thought something might bo done by means of an Order-in-Council, as provided in clause 44. , The Minister: It oould not be done, because with tho International Exhibition at Christchurch wo had to pass special legislation. Can’t yon twist it to suit?” suggested a deputationist, while Mr H. F. Allen (secretary) remarked that a fresh regulation might: bo gazetted.But the Minister oould see no course open but to wait for Parliament. “ And when will that meet?” asked Air T. Ballinger. “Not before tho end of June—the usual time,’’ replied , Air A Pillar, who added that it was impossible to do by regulation what the Act said was illegal. , i “ Instruct the inspectors not to toko ■action,” was another straw at which the deputation clutched vainly, for it mas pointed out that even if tho Labour Department did not take action, any member of the public had a right! to do so. Finally, the Alinister undertook to submit tlie point to the Crown Law, Officers, hut ho gave no hope of success, and tho deputationists indicated that there seemed no alternative but to postpone the exhibition until about three weeks after the opening of Parliament, when a special Act could bo ■passed for its benefit..