DRASTIC CHANGES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18900, 30 December 1935, Page 13

DRASTIC CHANGES

DOMINION LABOR LAWS PLANS FOR NEW YEAR RIGHT UF APPEAL APPRENTICE PROVISIONS (Special to the Herald.) WELLINGTON, this day. Drastic changes in the existing labor laws are lo take place in the new year, and in order that the overhaul will not ho delayed the Minister of Labor, (lie Hon. 11. T. Armstrong, has already started lo review the legislation now operating as ill affects the Arbitration Court, tlie conditions in factories and shops and offices, and the question ol apprentieeship training.

One of Ihe first things that will he done will, he lo restore the rigid to carry appeals lo the Arbitration Court, the Minister slated to-day. He said t hat tin* principle, of voluntary conciliation was practically all that operated to-day. “The position is that a dispute cannot be referred to the Arbitration Court unless three out ol the lour assessors on each side agree to this procedure. ’ explained Mr. Armstrong. '’ll there are fewer than eight, assessors, they must he unanimous. 1 am going to restore the right of either side to reler the- dispute to the Arbitration Court lor settlement. That will tiring the Act back to its original form.

It is quite possible that, as a result ol the changes tie contemplates, the Minister will find it. necessary to increase the number of conciliation commissioners in tlie Dominion. At present there is null one for each island.

“It seems to me that it will lie almost impossible tor them to cope with .the work." said the Minister. “Some changes will he necessary. - ’

Touching on the question ol apprenticeship. the Minister expressed concent at the problem that had developed as a result of interference with the apprenticeship lows. "Before 1930, this country had more than U.OCO apjiientioes."' he said. “Now we have only about 3CCO. The. position is alarming. Industries in this country are going to be compelled lo train a responsible proportion of apprentices, both boys and gills, and to employ them under reasonable conditions iftid wages.”

The Minister referred also to the number of young people who were employed in factories at cheap rates and who weie dismissed when they became entitled to full rates of wages, and indicated that this was one aspect ol the position that would receive his closest consideration.

He said that the raising of the school age would get over the position to some extent.