ARBITRATION ACT.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19150, 5 November 1927, Page 24

ARBITRATION ACT.

THE AMENDING BILL.

EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION TAKEN TO TASK. (PBESS ASSOCIATION TELBGBAM.) WELLINGTON, November 4. Before the Labour Bills Committee to-day. Mr T. 0. Bishop was taken lo task bv the Hon. Mr Anderson in regard to the expression of "selling a pup" used in the statement of the Employers' Federation yesterday. Mr Anderson wanted to know if be meant that the Government was deliberately trying to deceive the farmers. "'Mr Bishop said it was only a figurative expression. What be said was that in their opinio", the measure was to defeat its own ends. They believed that the Bill would not meet farmers' difficulties. In- twelve months the farmers would come to ask Parliament to undo what had been done. There was nothing in the expression that could be taken as a reflection on the Government's integrity. It was only an expression of opinion that the Bill was a mistake. The Minister said that the colloquial meaning of the phrase wan plain—deceiving somebody. '\Do you take that back?" he asked. Mr Bishop: Nothing was further from my mind.

It was remarked that, strictly, a pup had not entered into the discussion as it was a newspaper article only. Mr Anderson: It was intended to be a little bit of dirt for the Government.

Mr Bishop: It was designed to create doubt in the minds of farmers as to the wisdom of the proposal. That is all.

P. Talbot, vice-president of the South Canterbury Farmers' Union, said they wanted men to be paid on the basis of payment by results. The farming industry should be exempt from the Act. T. C. Brash, president of the Fruitgrowers' Federation, said fruit-growing should be among the exemptions. H. O'Malley, representing the Hotel and Restaurant Workers, said the Court had given satisfaction and could not be inbei fered with without harm to the industry. Permanent assessors were well qualified to deal with the various awards.

E. Kennedy, secretary of the Cooks' and Stewards' Union, said the Bill would drive them out altogether. They would deregister quick and lively. They would not attempt to work under the proposed Act. They were in favour of permanent assessors.

A. Seed, representing the Federated Sawmillers of the Dominion, was of the opinion that the provision for an alteration in the personnel of the Court was not good. He was not in fanrour of the Bill. _ They preferred district awards to Dominion awards and approved of payment by results.