OUR LABOR LAWS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 9 July 1901, Page 3

OUR LABOR LAWS.

Farther proposed Amendments.

(Our Parliamentary Reporter.)

Wellington, This Day, An effort will probably be made by Labor Unions to induce the Government to propose further amendments to the Conciliation and Arbitration Act this session consolidating the Act of last year. It is considered to be a greatly improved measure, but there appears to be a general opinion among representatives of labor that some further alterations are required to render it more workable.

Among the amendments which they urge should be made is one by which the Government would bo able to appoint inspectors to prosecute in cases of breaches of the Act, and also that employers shall keep a wages book recording all wages paid to employees and hours worked each day, such hook to be open for inspection to any person duly authorised by tho local Union or any Inspector appointed under the Act. Further that Government will probably be asked to give the Trades and Labour Council and Industrial Associations in the Colony the right to elect one member to the Arbitration Court and to enable the Trade Councils in the colony to register so as to L give them a legal

suiuamg. Finally it is proposed to amend tho Act so as to provide that reference to Board or Court may be agreed on by a Union by a resolution carried merely by a majority of members present at the meeting as in the case of certain Unions it is very difficult to get the attendance of a majority of members.