LABOR LEGISLATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1021, 14 October 1903, Page 1

LABOR LEGISLATION.

Pci Press Association. Wellington, last night, Mr Field. Secretary of the Employers’ Association, under date Oetobor 10th, has written to members of the Labor Bills Committee, making a strong protest against the refusal of the Committee to hear the evidence of employers on the Conciliation und Arbitration Amendment Bill and Labor Department Bill. He encloses tho protests of the Employer Associations throughout the colony. Following is the reply forwarded by the Premier yesterday to the protest by Mr E. T. Booth, president of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, Christchurch, against tho action of the Labor Bills Committee in not giving tho Federation an opportunity of calling witnesses on the Labor Department and Industrial Conciliation Bills : “ I regret exceedingly that your Association Bhould without just cause have come to the conclusion indicated in your telegram. Parliament authorised the Committee to report on odg Bill within seven days, and the other within fourteen. 1 anticipate you will acknowledge that Parliament is supreme, and the protest being against the action of Parliament your Association will no doubt avail them selves of that appeal, Parliament beiog open to all aggrieved. Tho provisions in the Bill to which you refer are as much in the interest of employers as the employed.” Similar messages were sent to the Employers’ Associations at Dunedin and Auckland.