ARBITRATION ACT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 369, 10 March 1932, Page 8

ARBITRATION ACT.

Reasonable Amendments to be Considered. ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, March 9. The Government’s proposed amendment of the Arbitration Act was again the subject of conference in the Cabinet room between the Prime Minister (Mr Forbes), the Minister of Labour (Mr A. Hamilton), and representatives of the Employers’ Federation, Trades and Labour Council and Alliance of Labour. About twenty were present, and the proceedings lasted throughout the afternoon till six o’clock. Labour views had occupied the whole of the previous afternoon’s long conference. This time it was the turn of the employers to express their opinions. Finally a round-table discussion took place between all the parties. It was subsequently ascertained that Ministers gave no indication of their future intentions regarding amendment of the measure in committee, though the Prime Minister has already made it clear that reasonable amendments will be considered by the Government. Altogether five hours have been spent in listening to the views of the parties most affected by the proposed legislation, and the discussion must afford a valuable guide to the Government in its handling of the meastire before Parliament. With the Address-in-Reply out of the way, it is expected that the House can have a general discussion of the principles of the Bill during its second reading stage this week, probably a protracted proceeding, because there is no indication that the official Opposition has any reason to change its attitude of unqualified disapproval of the amendments. The real test of opinion in the Hou£e will come on the committee stage, which is not likely to be reached until next week.