LABOUR DISPUTES.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14840, 4 December 1913, Page 10

LABOUR DISPUTES.

GOv*EimiENT'S PROPOSALS. NEW BILL ADVANCED. (srECIAL TO "THIB PEESS.") WELLINGTON, December 3. The Prime Minister to-day mado known to the House his intentions with regard to Labour legislation for tbo present session. It will be remembered that about the middle of the session there was brought down the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill, which proved to be a big amending and consolidate measure of the whole law of arbitration. Tho measure, in fact, was probably the biggest in point of actual size for the cession, for it ran to 54 pages and lc-ti clauses. The size of tho Bill and its importance proved in a wav to bo its undoing, for to-day the Labour Bills Committee reported, through its chai.inan (Mr J. -H. Bradnevj, that it was uiiabie to recominead tuo wholo Bill to "proceed this session. But?as has already b.en hinted at different times, tlie whole Bill is not to bo sacrificed. One port on of it dealing with "strikes and leck-outs by persons not b.und by awards or industrial agreements," is so important in the present juncture that the committee decided to save it and recommend that the whole of this section—part six of the Bill, together with clauses 154. 158, and 165 of part seven—should be 'lifted from the Bill and incorporated in the new measure to be brought in by the Prmo Minister. "Why not tbe whole Bill?" asked Mr Witty when Mr Bfadney made this announcement. "Because," retorted that gentleman, "there have been so many delays this session that it has been impossible for tbo Labour Bills Committee to moot and go into such a lengthy Bill in a 'wav to do full -in«tice to it." The Prime in accordance with this recommendation, this afternoon intimated that he would tomorrow brine down tbe Labour Disputes Investigation Bill. THE BILL'S In view of the importance of tho subject at tho present time, it is worth while repeating the main provisions of the parts of the Arbitration Bill indicated. In the first place, the proposals deal with workers not bound by awards or agreements. -If ten or more such workers decide to strike, they shall notify the Minister of Labour of such intention. Thereupon tho Minister may (a) direct the holding of a conference between the parties to tho dispute; or (b) refer tho matter to a Labour Dispute Committee for investigation. This committee shall consist of not less than three or more than seven members appointed by the Minister, of whom one shall be chairman. Apart from the chairman, the interests of employers and employee*, shall be equally represented. This committee shall investigate tho 'dispute and endeavour to effect a settlement. If this proves unsuccessful, then the Minister shall direct the holding of a Fecret ballot amongst the workers as to whether a strike shall be declared or whether such proposals as have been mado for a settlement shall be accepted. If tho course outlined is not followed, and a strike declared, then every worker taking part therein shall bo liablo to a penalty not exceeding £10. Supposing n lawful strike to be in operation, then a secret ballot may bo taken at any time on the requisition of 10 Per cent, of the strikers as to the oontifiuance of the striko. Similar nrovisions apply to employers contemplating a lock-o"*t, so far os giving notice to the Minister is concerned. If an employer does net give such notic and abide by such regulations, then he is liable to a" penalty of £500. A comprehensive clause imposes penalties for inciting "to striko" or "lockout." If a work-r does so he is liable to a penalty of £10; if an employer or any person not a worker does so, the penalty is £500; and if a union does so tlie penalty is £1000 or £10 ptr member (whichever amount is the less). Persons ranking gifts of money, etc., to strikers are to be deemed to ho aiding and abetting, the'fit ike or lock-out Provisions for the making and fil>ng of voluntary agreements is also made, and-power to make regulations is given, by another clause, to the €k>vernor. It is further provided that "every person who commits an offence against this Act for which no specific penalty is provided, is liable to a fine not exceeding £10 for each, offence." If the offence is a continuing one, there may bo a fuither fine of £5 per day.