THE MINISTER IN REPLY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1517, 13 August 1912, Page 6

THE MINISTER IN REPLY.

FAVOURS A DAY OF REST. Tho Hon. W. F, Mtissey, replying, said that, the case had been presented to.him very eloquently and very exhaustively It would lie'quite impossible for him to express a definite opinion on som'o of the because anything he might say would bo taken as the opinion of the Government, All he could say was that tho matters presented to him would be discussed in Cabinet; the Government would 'arrive at a decision thereupon, and then, as Minister for Labour, ho would be able to say what the Government proposed to do. On, one of the matters, however, he was prepared to express bis personal opinion. With regard to the six days' week, he did-not think there was a man in Parliament who was more earnest than he In.his.desire to preserve to tho workers ,of this country tne right to one day of rest in every week. He had always stood ■by that principle, and he stood by it now. 'in some occupation it ivas unfortunately necessary that workers should be employed on Sunday, but this should bo made up by a whole day of rest on some other day. Ho could also speak for the Government in saying that they had no sympathy for the employer who imposed' sweating conditions of work.

. Concerning barmaids, he had fully understood the intentions of Parliament •twelve months ago. This was a matter upon which the Government had come to a decision, and a Bill had been under consideration ;to give cited to tho intention of Parliament. .The question raised as to registry offices, ho would inquire into very fully. The matter of insuranco rates for hotel employees was rather a difficult one. Tt must te viewed from the commercial point of view, and he would have to make full inquiries before declaring his opinion. Speaking of the difficulty about the hotel and'restaurant workers' award he said he hee.n astonished wihen the Labour Department called his attention to the fact that the award had lapsed. He thought th« people concerned should be notified at once, and that was done. He tlisuglrt, however, that two months ago e/>mtXhing should have been done to set things in motion to' procure n new award. It would be impossible to put through a Bill, as proposed by tho deputation, "in any timo less than two months. He had signed a request for a message from tho Governor to introduce the amendment to tho Arbitration Act, but .it vrould bo two months before the ' Bill could go through. He would suggest that instead of waiting for legislation t>ho union .should go to tho Arbitral

lion Court and apply for an extension of the award. Mr. Carey: "Wo may bp asked ngttin if it is honest to go to Parliament and then coino to tho Court. Mr. M*assey: I don't liko to hear .anyone reflecting upon the Arbitration Court. It may not be perfect, but it is presided over bv a Judge of the Supremo Court, and it "is entitled to a certain amount of respect. Mr. Carey: Wo always respect it, sir, but we reserve the right to criticifo it. Mr. Massoy: Quito right. Ho assured the deputation in conclusion that all the proposals submitted to him would have proper consideration. Mr. Robertson thanked Mr, Massoy for tho courteous hearing lie 'had given the deputation.