PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18019, 6 November 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

IEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(Per Unifed Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 5.

The Council'resumed at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. Smith asked the Attor-ney-General whether the Government wold consider the effect of the recent award of increased cost of living bonus on the industries of the Dominion and endeavour to find some way of assisting the industries to pay the bonus, and so save numbers from having to close down. Sir Francis Bell replied that, the matter was receiving the very earnest consideration of the Government, but he could not say anything more at present. The second reading of the Hon. McGregor’s Workers’ Compensation Amendment No. 3 was carried by 20 to 4. The Council rose at 2.45 p.m. untill the ringing of the bell. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House resumed at 2.30 p.m. RAILWAYS AUTHORISATION. The Railways Authorisation Bill was introduced by Governor-Gen-eral’s message. The Hon. Coates explained that the following lines were set out in the schedule of the Bill: North Auckland Main Trunk line (for 13 miles), Westport-Inangahua line (eight miles to complete gap), Wel-lington-New Plymouth and Welling-ton-Napier deviations at Palmerston North. Replying to a question, the Hon. Coates said it was proposed to concentrate all available labour for the next 1 8 months on the completion of the Otira Tunnel. He therefore did not anticipate being able to do much in the direction of pushing on with the construction of the WestportInangahua section of the Midland, line.

Replying to Mr Holland, who said labour was available for this work, the Minister said he did not favourably regard the suggestion to take men out of the mines to put them on the railway. Mr Holland said he proposed to bring men from outside New Zealand. The Minister reiterated that it was the intention to concentrate on the Otira tunnel. The deviations at Palmerston North, said Mr Coates, were in connection with improvements at Palmerston North station. GREYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD. By Governor-General’s message, the Greymouth Harbour Bill was introduced. Mr Massey said the Bill proposed to lend financial assistance to the Greymouth Harbour Board, the finances of which had been in straitened circumstances for some time. The financial advisers of the Government were of opinion that the assistance proposed would enable the Board to carry on for quite a long time. Mr Massey moved that the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Coalmines Amendment Bill be disagreed with, and Messrs Rhodes (Thames), Poland. Holland, and Massey were appointed managers to confer with managers from the Council. GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS AMENDMENT. Mr Massey moved that the House go into committee on the Government Railways Amendment Bill. Mr Wilford said that the schedule —which was compiled in April last made no provision for the increase in the cost of living which had taken place since then. He congratulated the Government on the Bill. It was making secure the services of apprentices by improving the rate of remuneration. There was a dearth of apprentices as a result of inducements given in other businesses. Only the fitting and carpentering departments of the railway workshops had any apprentices. Repairs which should be peculiarly the work of the railway workshops were being done by Price Bros., owing to the fact that the Government could not get labour. This was to be attributed to the lowness of the State pay.

Mr Luke commented on the slight difference in the rates of pay between skilled and unskilled labour in the railways, which he thought was not calculated to encourage skilled men. He also thought that the schedule of pay should be more flexible, and that the Minister should have power to increase pay as the cost of living rose.

Mr Smith (Taranaki) endorsed this view. Mr Kellett put in a plea for a. more vigorous policy of house-build-ing for railway men. Mr McCombs declared that whereas the railway men were receiving 62 per cent, increase for the cost of living, they should be getting 7 3 per cent, increase. Messrs Hudson and Hanan appealed for more generous assistance on the part of the Government in assisting apprentices to enjoy the benefits of better education, especially in connection with technical schools. Mr Mitchell said the increase in wages was everlastingly chasing the increase in the cost of living. He believed that it had been better to have kept down the cost of living rather than to have increased wages. He asked the Premier to give the House an assurance that the railway men’s superannuation would not be broken on account of the recent unfortunate strike. Mr Smith (Waimarino) congratulated the railway men on getting this Bill brought down, for it was a complete surrender to the men, made at the time of the strike. The debate was interrupted by the 5.3 0 adjournment. The House resumed nt 7 30

Continuing the debate on the Govtinment Railways Amend me nt Bill. Mr li W. Smith appealed for furthei housing

provision for the men, especially along the Main Trunk line, m cider that experienced men may be kept in the service. Bolter pay was also needed. Mr Holland also stressed the need lei better pay for railway men io meet the cost of living. Mr Holland contended that railway men and other civil ser. vants should be given full civil rights and permitted to stand for Pa'iiainent without the necessity of resigning their positions. He also urged the abrogation of the Minister’s right of veto over a decision of the Railway Appeal Board.

Mr McNiool mentioned the case oi men engaged in smaller workshops who had to work forty-eight hours weekly while employees in larger shops only worked 44. This anomaly should bo removed.

Mr Torn congratulated the Minister on the Bill, which made for a marked improvement m the working conditions of the service, but he agreed that full civil and political rights should be accorded to employees. Mr Veitch said the Bill embodied the improvements agreed upon by the conference of persons concerned. He pointed out, however, that the provision to meet the cost of living was based on figures prepared some time ago, and the cost had since further increased. Unless there was a fall in the cost of living, fresh applications for additions to pay were inevitable.

I’he Prime Minister, replying, said the statement that apprentices were not attracted even by increased pay was not correct. The Department had more applications that it could place. Everything possible was being done to put al! available rolling stock in order for the busy season. The superannuation fund was to be strengthened, and he hoped at an early date full housing provision would be made. A start had already been made (and that rent in no case would exceed one day’s pay). Regarding overtime, Mr Massey said that in most cases overtime was paid for. So fas as civil and political rights were concerned. he thought the men 'had pretty well full rights already. As for political rights, that was more difficult, but he proposed to move in committee that provision be made enabling a railway man to obtain leave of absence to stand for Parliament, and, if elected, he would automatically cease to be a member ol the service. Replying to Mr Mitchell, Mr Massey said the men’s positions in connection with superannuation would not be affected by the recent strike.

A motion to go into committee was agreed to.

In committee the Premier moved to include a clause, regarding tin' granting of leave to enable railway men to contest elections, but the Chaiirman ruled it to be inadmissible, as it should be included in the Legislative Act. Mr Holland moved a new clause to abolish the Minister's right of veto over decisions of the Board of Appeal. Sir Wm. Berries (late Minister of Railways) said he had no objection to tile abolition of the right of veto if the Department was represented on the Board. So long as it was not so represented, the Minister should have the right to veto. Air Massey said he concurred in this vie iv.

Air A eitch said it was straining the position to say the Department had no representation on the Board, but he suggested a way out would be for the Minister to agree not to use the power of veto where the Board’s decision was unanimous. lhis would not endanger the Minister's authority over railway employees.

Air Holland replied that the Board’s position was similar to that of the Public Service Commissioner, and they did not hear of the Commissioner’s decision being vetoed. Mr Holland’s proposed new clause was rejected by 38 to 26. The Bill was reported without amendment. SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT. Hon. Sir Wm. Herries moved that the Shops, and Offices Amendment Bill lie committed, the principal provision being that the number of hours to be worked per week should be 48. During his explanation of the Bill.the Minister said that next session 'he proposea m bring down a measure consolidating the labour legislation of the Dominion. Mr McCombs congratulated the Minister on giving the shop employees the concessiens embodied in the Bill, which was long overdue. In connection with consolidation of labour legislation be suggested that the Alinister should call a conference of employers and employ. ee.s for the purpose of agreeing as far as possible upon necessary reforms. Air Sullivan asked the Alinister to bear in mind the case of clerks, who still worked under the provisions of ths original Act, and, except in cases where the reduction of hours was made by arrangement with the employers, they never had a concession of any kind made to them. ' Mr Luke warmly commended the Bill. Mr Howard contended that the case of employment in marble bars still had to be dealt with. In the same way, hotel employers should have hours more clearly defined. At the same time tie was thankful for small mercies. The Bill was then put through committee with an amendment moved by the Alinister increasing the hours that might be worked overtime at stock-tak-ing by 120 in a year. The House rose at 12.14 till 11 a.m. on Saturday.