LABOUR LAWS

Southland Times, Issue 22730, 5 November 1935, Page 8

LABOUR LAWS

OVERHAUL NEEDED GOVERNMENT’S INTENTIONS FULL INVESTIGATION (Per United Press Association.) Wellsford, November 4. Special attention to the Labour legislation was paid by the Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, in the course of his election speeches in the Kaiapara electorate to-day. It had always been the Government’s policy, said Mr Coates, to have the fullest investigation and discussion of important problems before taking legislative action. The Government would pursue the same policy in regard to labour legislation. It was becoming increasingly recognized that the labour code of any country had an important bearing not only on the standard life of the workers, but also industrial efficiency. International labour conferences .held periodically at Geneva fully discussed every aspect of labour conditions. At the last conference the importance of an investigation of 1: bour conditions throughout the world was emphasized with a view to bringing them into closer conformity with the changing problems of industry and safeguarding more effectively the position of work.

“For these reasons it is proposed at a very early date to institute inquiries into the labour laws of New Zealand,” said Mr Coates, “with a view to their amendment where l this is found necessary. One problem demanding consideration in every country is that of shorter working hours. Bearing this question on the problem of unemployment places it in the forefront of question for consideration. The possible effects of shorter hours, a shorter working week or shorter working life, are by no means self-evident and the issues raised are very complicated. Hence it is proposed early in the objectives of the Government to maintain and improve the standards of living of workers, while at the same time awarding such restrictions as may impede industrial efficiency. The conditions affecting apprenticeship are considered to be especially important and are engaging the close attention of the Government. There is always the danger that the provisions relating to apprenticeship may be framed in the interests of the employers and employee, and that the position of a boy learning a trade may tend to be overlooked. The Government considers that in the long run it is wise to place greater emphasis on the future of the boy or girl apprentice and in any amendment to the Apprenticeship Act, full consideration will be given this phase of the situation.”