AN ABSENT MINISTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8654, 12 February 1914, Page 5

AN ABSENT MINISTER

TO REMAIN ON HOLIDAY. B 7 Telegraph—Press Association Copyright (Received February 11, 9 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 11. Mr Griffiths (Minister for Public Works) will remain on holiday in the country for a few more days. ■ His colleagues are not greatly perturbed at the Labour Conference impeachment of Mr Griffiths. [At the Labour Conference Mr Griffiths’ action in not observing the prescribed wages under the recent Federal award was adversely criticised, and the conference demanded that Mr Griffiths should appear before it, and give an explanation. This Mr Griffiths (who was absent in the country) declined to do. Ho wrote stating that he was unable to bo present, and declaring that he had no knowledge of any charge against him. The Minister said he assumed the trouble had arisen owing to the fact that he had not authorised .any alteration in rate of wages, pending an appeal lodged against the recent Federal award. He defended his attitude as being in accordance with the practice where appeals were sub judice. After discussing the question of censuring Mr Griffiths the conference appointed a committee to inquire into the matter,]