OUR INADEQUATE LAW.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1923, 4 December 1913, Page 8

OUR INADEQUATE LAW.

IMPROVEMENTS TO COME. A question tabled by Mr. G. J. Anderson, referring to tlio present industrial turmoil and the possibility of similar disturbances in future was answered in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Anderson asked the Government: Whether they will during tho recess set up a commission to thoroughly investigate tho industrial -problem, and tho causes of tho failure of our present industrial legislation, and, if possible, devisa moans for preventing future upheavals suoh as that from which the Dominion is now suffering; suoh commission to consider the practicability of a minimum wage for men and women? Tho Hon. W. F.' Massey (Primo Minister) replied: Legislation is being submitted to Parliament which, it -is hoped, will bo tho means of enabling the parties to arrivo at an amicable settlement of most, if not all, industrial disputes. The existing law on tho subject is incomplete, inasmuch as it docs not provido any machinery for tho investigation of disputes in cases smell as that which gave riso to tho present industrial difficulty, where tlio workers aro not registered under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. If tho legislation which is now proposed is passed into law, all workers will bo af.forded tho opportunity of having their disputes investigated in either of tho two methods provided for, whichever they may prefer. Under these circumstances' it is not, proposed at present j to set up a commission as suggested.