ISSUE OF AWARDS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21182, 1 November 1938, Page 6

ISSUE OF AWARDS

Delay Causes Complaint Conference Likely By Telegraph—Pres* Appoclatlor AUCKLAND, October 31. A conference of Trades’ Union representatives is to be called within the next two weeks by the Minister of Labour (Hon. H. T. Armstrong) to discuss the issue of industrial awards by the Arbitration Court. Avice to this effect has been received by union officials in Auckland, although the date and venue of the conference are not yet known. The Minister’s decision is the outcome of a visit which he recently paid to Auckland. He attended a meeting of Union secretaries, when a request was made for a conference, which the Minister has now arranged. Complaint has been made that there has been undue delay in the issue of awards. It has been pointed out by Union officials that the number of unions and awards has been greatly increased, with the result that the Court has been required to handle a very much larger amount of work. “TOO STUPID FOR WORDS” MINISTERS COMMENT By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, October 31. The statement contained in the Auckland Press Association message that he intended calling a conference of Trades’ Union representatives to discuss the issue of awards by the Court of Arbitration was denied by the Minister of Labour (Hon. H. T. Armstrong) to-night. “The thing is too stupid for words,” said the Minister, when the Auckland message was read to him. “No one has asked me for a conference, but I understand the Federation of Labour will be calling one. That is the proper organisation to call such a conference.”