THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2257, 17 September 1914, Page 7

THE HOUSE

The House of Representatives met at 7.30 p.m. , Leave of absence was granted as follows:—The' Hon. J. A. Millar, seven days; Mr. R. F. Bollard, five days; Mr. H. Poland, three days; and Mr. P. C. Webb, three days. / IJlitil 11.15 p.m. the time of tho sitting was occupied in debating Committees' reports on two petitions, one asking for a trial survey of a railway line in the Auckland district, and another, from a man named Dockery,_who was shot in the strike riots in Wellington, asking for compensation. The latter debate was especially proti acted, and many of; the statements made with frequency at the time of the strike wero repeated again, and again. BILLS IN COMMITTEE. PRIVATE MEMBERS' DAY. At 11.20 p.m. the House went into Committee on the Industrial "Unions and Trades Unions' Enabling Bill (Mr. M'Combs), the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill (Mr. A. H. Hindmars'h), and tho Factories Act Amendment Bill (Mr. T. M. Wilford). THE "OSBORNE JUDCMENT." Mr. M'Combs's Bill, the object of which is to modify tne effect of the Osborne judgment, which is upheld by a decision of the New Zealand Courts, to the'extent of allowing labour unions to ■ establish a political fund for certain specified contributions to such funds being optional to members, was first considered. Mr. Massey took to the clause permitting members of trades unions to uso funds for the purpose of subsidising nowspapers. He had no objection to the Bill generally, but this was goin& a little too far. It would leal to endless discord in unions, and in the interests of the unions themselves, he thought the clause should bo dropped from the Bill. Ho did not object to tho unions carrying on a trade journal, hut he saw grave objections to a. union subsidising a political newspaper. i . Tho clause which was supported by all the - Labour members, was eventually Amended' by the 'striking- out" "of' 'the; "word ''newspaper." Tho Prime Minister's objection was therefore sustained. , • .... Mr. G. J. Anderson moved to* add the following new clause:'"Every person is liable to a fine not exceeding £5 who uses any threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour towards any member of a labour union who has exercised his "ight' under this Act pf objecting to contribute to the political fund of the union, if such words or behaviour have reference to the objection of the member to contribiito as aforesaid." The 'clause was added to tho Bill, which was subsequently .reported with amendments. .WORKERS IN CLUBS. The, Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill (Mr. Hindmarsh) was committed. The object of the Bill was to make Arbitration Court awards apply to club workers in the ■same way as it now applies to hotel servants. The Prime Minister said that he .was not sure how tho Bill was going to 'affect club .servants. If they .wanted the Bill he would offer'no objection to it, but he would like to be assured on tho point. : He had received correspondence which led him to believe that the men did object to being brought under the Act. > ■ Members agreed fairly generally that tho lot of club servants was better than that of hotel ■ servants, hut some argued that the Bill could not possibly do tlhe workers harm. ilr. Guthrie pointed out that the effect 'of the Bill would be to close down country clubs, which couid ' not possibly afford to employ extra hands. Mr. Hindmarsh said that the Bill did not deprive the Arbitration Court of the power to exempt small clubs from the operations of tho Bill. Mr. W. Nosworthy said the Bill was an attempt on the part of the unions to extend their sphere of influence into institutions where unionism was not necessary and not desirable. The Hon. A. L. Herdman said that the Bill threatened many of tho privileges •now enjoyed by club servants, and that the effect of jt would bo to close country clubs. Tho men would be bound down to the, strict letter of the law, and many of them would find their new position worse than their present one. Tho short title of the Bill was agreed to by 22 votes to 21. The Bill passed unaltered. V Progress was reported, but the Primo Minister promised Mr. Wilford another opportunity of going on with the Factories Act Amendment Bill. LAND ACENTS. The Land Agents Amendment Bill was received from the Legislative Council, and read a first time'. The House rose at 0.50 a.m. It will meet to-day it 2.30 p.m. -