APPRENTICES BILL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17944, 23 November 1932, Page 7

APPRENTICES BILL

MINISTER’S STATEMENT PRINCIPLES PRESERVED (Parliamentary importer.) WELLINGTON, this hay. Declaring that the new measure preserved the principles of apprenticeship contracts and conditions of employment, the Hon. A. Hamilton, Minister of Labor, indicated in the House yesterday that the Government did not intend to rush through the passage of the Apprentices Bill, hut would hear evidence on the proposals and accept any reasonable amendments. In moving that the bill be read a second time, pro forma, and referred to the Labor Bills Committee, the Minister said the Apprentices Act was considered as machinery of a heavy artillery nature for the work it was required to do, and the new legislation sought to simplify methods. Local committees would not be abolished, and where no committees existed the registrars would be invested with committee powers. Under the bill he thought the committees would receive a better hearing. Although an opportunity would be given for the hearine of evidence, it was intended to pass the bill this session, and in that connection he sought the co-operation of the Labor Party, since it was as much in its interests as in the Government s to see that the matter was attended to so that apprentices could be taken on in employment. There was no idea of making an opening for the employment of cheap boy labor. _ It was asserted by Mr. P. Iraser (Labor, Wellington C.) that if the bill was strictly on the lines indicated by the Minister there seemed to be no paiticular urgency for dealing with the legislation this session especially as the. Prime Minister wished to close the session by . . . The Prime Minister: Christmas. Mr. Fraser: Is it changed to Christmas now? , .. , _A The Prime Minister: I base not named any specific date. The bill was read a second tune, pro 'forma, and referred to the Labor Bills Committee. _____