LABOUR LAWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15885, 3 October 1913, Page 2

LABOUR LAWS

RUMOURS OF WITHDRAWAL. OFFICIAL DENIAL. (From Our Own Correspondent.) • WELLINGTON, October 2. Tho two important labour measures which the Government has introduced this session were tlje subject of brief mention in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr Atmore said there was a rumour about to tho efteot that fjhc Government intended to drop the Shops and Offices Bill. When he was asked if fihis wero so ho gave it a denial, and ho thought it would givo satisfaction in certain quarters! it" the Government would state publicly if it had any intention of dropping this Bill. The" Prime Minister 6aid that tho hon. gentleman was quit-ft riarht in denying the rumour, for the Government had no intention of dropping the Shops and Offices Bill. He hoped that tho Labour Bills Committee would be able to get ori with the cla-uses of the Bill within the next few days. He had, however, some very important amendments to move in tho Bill, and' he could a£sure ton. members that the Itouse would have an opportunity of dealing with the Bill during the present eession. At another stage Mr Russell ventured to suggest that tho Primo Minister was not serious in suggesting that tlho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill should be placed on tho Statafco Book this session in its present form. Mr Ma6sey, however, speedily corrected that idwu. " I do intend," ho said, "to aalc Parliament to place this Bill on the Statute Book this session." It was further incidentally mentioned that the Labour Bills Committee would be sitting on Friday of this week, when it was hoped that the preliminary arrangements would bo made for proceeding .with tho investigation of the measure. ■