ARBITRATION SYSTEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21579, 26 February 1932, Page 8

ARBITRATION SYSTEM

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT VITAL BLOW AT COURT (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.l WELLINGTON, February 25. It was gathered authoritatively late to-night that the Arbitration Amendment Bill, which is being introduced tomorrow morning, strikes a vital blow at the foundation of the Arbitration Court. The chief feature will be the introduction of the principle of compulsory conciliation and voluntary arbitration. The amendment proposes to make it possible for employers and employees to meet in conciliation councils to endeavour to settle their differences between themselves without reference to the court unless they both agree to refer their dispute to court. The effect of this clause is acknowledged to mean that if either party refuses to take the dispute to the court the award becomes invalid. It is also proposed, under certain conditions, to bring existing awards under review, to be dealt with in accordance with the terms of this amendment. Provision is also being made for employers to enter into agreements with their employees to work at piece-work rates. Power will also be taken by Order-in-Council to exempt wholly or partly at any time any industry from the operations of the Act. AMENDING LEGISLATION KEEN INTEREST IN THE HOUSE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, February 25. The keenness with which members of Parliament are awaiting the introduction of the Arbitration Amendment Bill which the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) has promised for to-morrow morning was shown in the House this evening, when each reference to the court made by the speakers in the Address-in-Reply debate produced a running commentary from the Labour benches, while the chorus of approval showed the sentiments of many on the Government benches. The mover (Mr A. J. Murdoch) reiterated the promise recently made by the Prime Minister that the court would not be abolished. Mr W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) : It will be slaughtered. Mr J. M'Combs (Lyttelton) : Yes, they will cut its head off. Mr Murdoch said it was merely proposed to alter the Act to ensure that the provisions of the court would react less harshly upon industry. It had to be considered also how far the Arbitration Court reflected upon the unemployment problem. } Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon) : Half the men out of work were sacked by the Government. Mr Murdoch: I would remind the House that there are many men out of work to-day who consider they would have jobs but for the court. Mr Parry: Yes, at what wage? Mr J. Kitchener, the seconder of the motion, referred strongly to the proposed amendment to the Arbitration Act which, he said, would be welcomed by thousands of people throughout the Dominion, not only the farmers but business people as well who, under the present conditions, found it impossible to carry on. A Labour voice: Tommy rot!

Mr Bitchener said incalculable harm was being clone by the operation of the court, which was responsible for hundreds of school-leaving lads being unable to secure work. “ To-day,” lie said, “when the fanners of this Dominion are struggling hard to make a living and fighting against the most difficult conditions they are prevented from carrying on by the operation of the court.” A Labour intcrjector: Sob stuff.

Mr J. O’Brien (Westland): They could not take men if they got them for nothing. Mr Bitchener; I am glad to say the Government is at last alive to the fact that the Apprentices Act and the Arbitration Act must be amended if these sections of the community are to be allowed the right to earn a proper living.