LABOUR DISPUTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15938, 4 December 1913, Page 9

LABOUR DISPUTES.

_*_ GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS. NEW BILL ADVANCED. (Fbom Otjh Own Cobbespondent.) WELLINGTON, December 3. The Prime Minister to-day made known to the House his intentions with regard to labour legislation for the present session. It will be remembered that about the middle of the session there was brought down the Industrial Conciliation and.Arbitration Bill, which proved to be a big amending and consolidating measure of the whole law of arbitration. The measure, in fact, was probably the biggest in point of actual size, of the session, for it ran to 54 pages and 165 clauses. The size of the Bill and its importance proved in a way to be its undoing, for to-day the Labour Bills Committee reported through its Chairman (Mr Bradney) that it was unable to recommend the'whole Bill to proceed this session.' But, as has already been hinted at different times, the whole Bill is not to be sacrificed. One portion of it, dealing with strikes and lockouts by persons not bound by awards or industrial agreements, is so important that at the present juncture the committee decided fa save it, and to recommend that the whole of this section—part six or the Bill, together with clauses 154-158 and 165 of part seven—should be lifted from the Bill and incorporated in a new measure to be brought in by the Prime Minister. " Why not the whole Bill?" queried Mr Witty when Mr Bradney made this announcement. "Because," retorted Mr Bradney, "there have been so many delays this session that it has been impossible for the Labour Bills Committee to meet and go into such a lengthy Bill in a way to do full justice to it." The Prime Minister, in accordance with this recommendation, intimated this afternon that he would bring down the Labour Disputes Investigation Bill to-morrow. THE BILL'S PROVISIONS. In view of tho importance of the subject at the present time it is worth while repeating the main provisions of the parts of the Arbitration Bill indicated. In the first place the proposals deal with workers not bound by awards or agreements. If 10 or more such workers decide to strike they shall notliy the Minister of Labour of such intention. Thereupon the Minister may : (a), direct the holding of a conference between the parties to the dispute; or (b), refer tho matter to a Labour Disputes Committee for investigation.' This committee shall consist of not less than three nor more than seven members appointed by the Minister, of whom one shall be chairman. Apart from the chairman the interests of employers and employees shall be equally represented. This committee shall investigate the dispute and endeavour to effect a settlement. If this proves unsuccessful tho Minister shall direct the holding of a secret ballot amongst the workers as to whether a strike shall be declared, or whether such proposals as have been made for a settlement shall.be accepted. If the course outlined is not followed and a strike is declared every worker taking parttherein shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £10. Supposing a lawful strike is in operation a secret ballot may bo taken at any time on the requisition of 10 per cent, of the strikers as to the continuance of tho strike. Similar provisions apply to employers contemplating a lockout so far as giving notico to the Minister is concerned. If an employer does not givesucn notice and abide by such regulations he will bo liable to a penalty of £500. A comprehensive clause imposes penalties for inciting to Btrike or lockout. If a worker does so he is liable to a penalty of £10, and if an employer or any person who is not a worker does so the penalty is £500, and if a union'does so the penalty is £1000 or £10 per member (whichever amount is the less). Persons making- gifts of money, etc, to strikers are to be deemed to be aiding and abetting the strike or lockout. Provision for the making and filing of voluntary agreements is also made, and powers to make regulations is given by another clause to the Governor. It i 6 further provided that every person who commits an offence against tiiis Act for which no specific penaltv is provided is liable to a fine not exceeding £10 for each offence. If the offence is a continuing one there may be a further fine of £5 per day. "FOR WANT OF A NUT THE WHEEL CAME OFF I" And for want of a little timely attention a slight chill develops into dangerous illness, At first sign of cough, cold, influenza, etc., • fly to Tonking's Linseed Emulsion. Is sd, 2s 6d, 4s 6d-Chemists and Stores.