The Putaruru Press. PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1935. ADVANCED LEGISLATION

Putaruru Press, Volume XV, Issue 767, 10 March 1938, Page 4

The Putaruru Press. PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1935. ADVANCED LEGISLATION

PHONE 28 - P.O. Box « Office - Oxford place

RATIFICATION by the House of Representatives of 22 conventions of the International Labour Organisation does not affect labour conditions in New Zealand. The International Labour conferences have, in the course of years, adopted 62 conventions fixing standards for the employment of labour. These conventions are binding upon the member nations only when they agree to accept them. New Zealand law conforms to 22 (probably more) of them, and the effect of ratification is formal notification to the other nations of Dominion approval. The domestic significance of ratification, therefore, is not great. Nevertheless, it is desirable that this action should be taken. The great value of the International Labour Organisation is the influence it exercises in improving industrial conditions uniformly. There are many reforms which are desirable and practicable if a nation can be isolated from competition; but they become impracticable if competitive nations lag behind. The reforming nation, therefore, should not only effect reforms in its own sphere, but should, for self-pro-tection, put its weight behind a movement to make the reforms generally applicable. This is a consideration that cannot be ignored. One of the principal objections to the 40hour week arises on that very point—that it is too far in advance of the stage reached by competitive countries, and consequently places New Zealand industry under a serious handicap. Support of the work of the International Labour Organisation may help to lessen that handicap by bringing other nations into line. In the meantime a day given to discussion of the work is not wasted, as it is a means of bringing that work under public notice and securing for it a measure of understanding and support.