INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 13904, 4 November 1919, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION.

CONCH lIATION CO U RTS. LBv Electric telegraph —Cottmgut.] (Per Press Association.) (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received November A. at 9.25 a.m. LONDON, November 1. The Ministry oi : Labor's proposals have raised a storm of Trade Union indignation, forcing Sir R. S. Horne to announce the deletion of the clauses empowering Industrial Courts to make awards binding, and denying the right to strike, against an award. It has been somi-onicially pointed out that Suit S Home's draft proposals were submitted only as a. basis for discussion. During yesterday's negotiations in connection with the*continuance of the Act establishing the present wages lor another year, Labor immediately repudiated the proposals and considered them a. direct attempt to involve Labor in. the responsibility for making strikes illegal The situation was strained throughout to-day, the Trade Unionists declaring that they preferred to let the. Act lapse and come immediately to grips on the wages question rather than, be. partv to the Bill. Sir It. S. Horne prolonged the con-t'e-ence with the Trade Unionists m the afternoon, after which the Laborites announced their decision to call on Wednesday a special conference of the. trades immediately concerned, prnicipallv the shipbuilding and engineering crafts, and, also, as the proposals affected the whole Trade Unions movement, to invite the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress to attend. , Tn the evening Sir It. S. Horne announced the deletion of the clauses to which objection was raised, and stales that ho will introduce the Bill on Monday. The Bill retains the proposal to establish an Industrial Court, which will be available to settle disputes, with consent, after the parties fail. It a.lso empowers the Minister to appoint Courts of Inquiry into tho clauses* and circumstances of disputes. The Bill omits provision compelling employers to go to arbitration on reference for demands for increases in wages.