LABOUR DEPARTMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23703, 10 January 1939, Page 8

LABOUR DEPARTMENT

DUTIES OF INSPECTORS MUST NOT LOOK FOR TROUBLE ADDRESS BY MINISTER (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 9. An informal talk with members of the staff of the Labour Department in the city given by the new Minister of Labour (Mr P. C. Webb) contained several references to what was expected by him of the department’s inspectors. To them the Minister addressed an appeal always to carry out their duties in the most friendly manner. Most of the reports he had received from one end of New Zealand to the other about the conduct of the inspectors from both business people and labour organisations were most gratifying, he said, “ but unfortunately there are some few instances where some of the officers are a little' too abrupt and swing their weight about to an unnecessary extent. I can assure you that any officer guilty of an offence of that kind will find it difficult to work with me.”

The Minister said he expected awards to be observed, but inspectors were not expected to look for trouble. A reasonable interpretation was wanted and he desired that there should be a minimum number of court cases and a maximum amount of co-operation. The inspectors should confer With both the unions and the employers affected with the hope of making some adjustment.