ARBITRATION LAW

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11248, 28 June 1922, Page 4

ARBITRATION LAW

MUST BE OBSERVED RURAL WORKERS WAIT ON THE MINISTER. GRIEVANCES VENTILATED. A deputation from the Xew Zealand Workers’ Union waited on the Hon. G. J. Anderson yesterday with reference to tin: working conditions of shearers and threshing mill hands. Tho deputation claimed to represent about IK/00 workers. THE UNION CASE. Hr S. Boreham said that the union had grievances of a eerious nature. He referred to what he termed the “attitude of tho Southland farmers,” who appeared to be out to settle the Arbitration Act. Those farmers desired to be released from the Act, and Mr Boreham said there had been breaches of the “gentlemen’s agreement.” In order to enforce the award in one district it would moan that under the present law they would have to cite some 7000 farmers, which was impracticable. An amendment of the law was necessary in that respect. It was suggested that instead of individually citing farmers, it should be ■sufficient to notify them by the advertisement of the court's awards in such cases. Complaints were made of underrate payment for work done. If the present most unsatisfactory state of things continued, there would be only one resort left, and that was direct action—a course the representatives of the workers desired to avoid. In Southland, not a third of tlie crop had been threshed, and there was still a considerable area in stook. That meant a lass to the country. The deputation, added the speaker, had already forwarded many of the complaints to the department, and they earnestly asked the Minister to see that the law waa carried out in a satisfactory manner. Mr J. Townsend declared that in Southland the law had not been observed in many ways. Mr A. J. Middlemiss complained of improper accommodation for threshing mill hands. Mr R. Tutaki represented the grievances of the Maori shearers, and Mr J. Whyte also spoke. THE MINISTER’S REPLY. In reply, the Minister said he had been asked to make the Arbitration Act applicable to both employers and employees. The law did apply to both parties. Wherever he could obtain mx>of that either party had broken the taw, it was his intention to have action taken against tlie offender. It was, however, not always an easy, but sometimes a very difficult matter to get proof sufficient to obtain a conviction. He agreed with Air Boreham that the Arbitration Act was a beneficial one, more, particularly for the workers. He did not think, however, that they would ever be able to get mi award that would cover all agricultural requirements. His opinion was that agriculture was sueft an industry that all phases of it could not bo brought under awards of the court. With regard to their complaints regarding the threshing industry, action would be taken to have the law observed; and wholes the department obtained proof of breaches prosecution would follow. Difficulty had been experienced iu arranging for the inspect tion of shearers’ accommodation to be carried out satisfactorily with the limited staff, but they would be pleased to know that he had made arrangements with the Agricultural Department whereby tlie stock and rabbit inspectors of that department would act as inspectors for the Labour Department in regard to such accommodation. Besides effecting an economy in expenditure. this arrangement would result in tlie inspecton, particularly in countiy districts, being more efficacious. INQUIRY INTO COMPLAINTS.

The Minister said he would have inquiries made into each complaint they had brought forward in regard to shearers’ accommodation, both in respect to Maori and European workers, and steps would be taken to have the law observed. At the same time they themselves should as far as possible do all m thoir power to see that the workers took proper care of the accommodation and conveniences provided by station owners. Reports which had reached him showed that some workers showed a total disregard for their employers’ efforts to improve their living conditions. In some cases mattresses had been destroyed, and crockery and cutlery were loft strewn about the grounds. The actions of some of the men in this respect discouraged employers in their attempts to provide reasonable and comfortable accommodation. In making their demands, however, for improvements, a good deal of common-sense should bo exercised. Consideration liad to bo given to the fall in prices. Ho (tho Minister) knew of many instances in which fanners bad had to pay taxation out of capital last year, more particularly wool-grower*. FARMERS’ DIF FICULTfES. When these .men were in financial difficulties, it wa* only fair that some consideration ‘ should be given to their position, instead cf trying to push them deeper into the mire. While lie would do all he could to have better conditions provided, he was not going bo press men in financial difficulties to provide the accommodation asked for, and he did not think tho people of New Zealand would require him to do it. He would, however, see that the workers had clean, healthy, and sanitary accommodation. With regard to the suggestion to altpr the law to provide for the citation of farmers by advertisement in the newspapers, instead of under the present system, he would be pleased to consider their request. It had, however, to be remembered that this did not affect only tho farmers. It had also to be recognised that every man brought before the court had the right to place his particular case before the court. He agreed that there should be first-aid appliances at every shearing station, and he had been informed that every employer had been circularised to provide the name. In conclusion, tho Minister assured the denutation that th? Government and the department were treating both sides impartially in regard to breaches of tho Arbitration Act; and where proof was forthcoming, action would be taken against offenders whether they were employers or employees.