THE ARBITRATION ACT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1751, 16 May 1913, Page 5

THE ARBITRATION ACT.

SOME PROJECTED AMENDMENTS.

MINISTER'S STATEMENT, Sonio months ago a depntation representing the Amalgamated Society of Engineers waited upon (lie Hon. \V. F. Massey in his capacity as Minister for I-abour and suggested that certain amendments ought to be made in the Arbitration Act. Mr. T. M. AVilford, M.l'., who introduced the deputation, lias received a reply by letter from the Minister, which deals with the representations. Minor Chanflcs, "Dealing iirst with the suggested amendments of tlio Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act," says the Minister, "I would say that the question as to the inclusion in this year's Bill of a provision, somewhat on the lines of tho West Australian Act, for tho registration of indentures of apprentices, for examination of apprentices, etc., has been considered, and it is probable that a clause somewhat. to the effect suggested will bo included in the Bill. "In resard to the difficulty caused by the overlapping of industries, with particular reference to eases where engineers and boiler-makers both claim certain classes of work, I think such difficulty would probably be most satisfactorily met by providing in (lie Act that whenever any dispute is filed by tho union, any other union whoso members may bo affected by the dispute shall bo given tho right to appear at the hearing and to express its views.. I have under consideration the adoption of a clauso somewhat to this effect. "In regard to the suggested reconstruction of tho Arbitration Court, I informed the deputation verbally that the Government did not intend to interfere with the present Court, at all events for the present." The Minister intimated also that ho hoped to be able to accede to another request relative to a matter of procedure merely. The other suggested amendments were, 'he paid, being carefully considered, and when the Amending Bill camo before Parliament early next session opportunity would be given to tho nersons concerned to express their views before the .Labour Bills Committee. The Work of Inspectors. "Coming to the complaint as to the method in which inspectors of awards carry out their duties (the Prime Minister' goes on to say), the complaint made was to the effect that inspectors of awards do not take an active part in seeing that awards arc being complied with, preferring to wait until a complaint is made by the union concerned, that it was almost impossible to get a prosecution, etc. . . . I am informed by the Chief Inspector that the instructions to all inspectors aro to give as much attention as their time will permit of to the inspection of all, premises where awards aro in force, witha now to .seeing that the same are pro- 1 perly complied with; and in order to ensure that these instructions may, as far as possible, be carried out, each inspector is required by the head office to report, on a printed form, at least once a in respect to every factory in his district, as to whether the wages and hours fixed under the awards that may bo applicable are being observed. It is, however,' not possible for inspectors to pay thorough visits of inspection to every place bound by awards in their respective districts throughout New Zealand; to do this would necessitate a very largo army of inspectors, which the country could not afford to employ. ... In respect to the complaint by Mr. Elston concerning the administration of tho awards generally throughout New Zealand, in wlucli it was stated that it. was almost impossible to get a prosecution . . . out of -A t°tal ot 069 complaints received as to breaches of awards in the Auckland district 223 cases wero taken .to the Arbitration Court and Magistrate's Court. A largo number of caws have also been taken by the different inspectors in other parts of Now Zealand. , "From an examination of the report of the Chief Inspector and of tho various inspectors concerned, says the Prime Minister in conclusion, 1 am satisfied that there has been no grounu ior the allegations made by the deputation. I am assured by the Chief Inspector that in every district the inspectors are carrying out'Wir duties in a satisfactory manner." ...