UNDER CRITICISM

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20389, 4 January 1938, Page 8

UNDER CRITICISM

LABOUR DEPARTMENT ABPERBED BY WORKERS MINISTER’S PROMISE TO REMEDY (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Among a number of matters placed before the Minister of Labour (the Hon. 11. T. Armstrong) by a deputation from the annual conference of the New Zealand Federated Woollen Mills and Hosiery Factories Employees Industrial Association of Workers was the manner in which the laws are bein c: administered by the Labour Department. A report supplied from the conference to the press states that Mr W T. Young urged that the Labour Department be overhauled with a view to seeing that complaints made by unions receive the attention they deserve. He gave several instances where complaints had received scant attention, and contended that several months had passed before any action of any sort had been taken.

Mr Armstrong, the report says, replied that he was not aware this state of affairs existed, but he could assure the deputation that he would make the f>*» *st inquiries and if he found this was so he would have the matter remedy/d. He said the Labour Department was understaffed, and during the past year had had a tremendous lot of work to do, but he assured the deputation that they would have no cause for complaint for this matter in the future. WORE PROTECTION SOUGHT BOTH SIDES IN ACCORD OXEITUXGA dispute (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The secretary's annual report to the textile workers’ conference mentioned a desire that the industry*should receive a greater measure of protection against goods produced under sweated conditions or in countries which were on a lower standard of living than New Zealand. Manufacturers were in agreement with the workers in this matter, and would appreciate any action the association would take to secure more protection. The conference carried a resolution expressing the deepest appreciation of the stand ta*Ken by the Onehunga workers in the recent action against unjust conditions, especially in view of the fact that this is the smallest union affiliated to the federation; also that the secretary, Mr Long, be congratulated on the manner in which he conducted the case in securing a settlement. The Union Erred A deputation of the whole conference waited on Mr Armstrong on Wednesday to discuss certain matters. It had made an appeal for greater protection for the industry, and the matter of the Ounehunga dispute was also mentioned. The Minister said the workers had not done the right thing in taking matters into their own hands; they should have reported it to the right quarters. Mr Long said it was futile to report any matter to the Labour Department as nothing was done by that Department.