LABOR LAWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2065, 27 April 1907, Page 1

LABOR LAWS.

SPEECH BY THE MINISTER, l'roas Association WELLINGTON, yesterday. Speaking at a social, the Hon. Mr. Millar, after referring to the administration of tlio Labor Department, claimed it bad the intorosts of tlio workers at heart. Tlio Department was ono of tlio most important of the State, becauso it had the interests of over two-thirds of the people of tho colony committed to its charge. Its usefulness was curtailed by Parliament not giving sulliciont officers for its administration. A lot had been done in labor matters, but a lot remained to bo done. At tho same time they should not forget this, that the only men who had a kuowledlge of the workers were those representing places whero tho workers were situated. They were the men who had tho factories and shops under their eyes but were in a minoritv in the House. • When one made a proposal with reference to labor matters the eporienco of the past showed that every inch of the road had to be fought, owing to tho opposition of the country. If the labor movement was to make headway it must have organised country labor. Until the workers got that they would never got the labor legislation they were entitled to through the House. Look at Hansard. and see what they tried to do with regard to the Saturday haltholiday. Ho did not believe any edition had shown 25 out of the House of SO in 1 avor of it. Continuing, lie said he did not know what the present Parliament was, but it may be more progressive in the way of labor legislation than in past sessions. Last year they had the Arbitration Amendment Bill, containing 26 clauses. It was cut down to five. He had so little chance of pulling that Bill through the House that he dropped the whole .Bill, and took one clause, which was sufficient for him. It was to create a court of arbitration, an independent court from the Supreme Court. He said the delay in arbitration matters had been of such a character as to demand that Parliament would put a stop to them in future. This session he hoped to put through legislation which would do away with all the delay that had ta'ken place, and deal with disputes as they arose. The "Workmen’s Compensation for Accidents Act was another matter he intended bringing forward, and he hoped to deal with amendments to the Shops and Offices Act. Continuing, he said they all had one aim and one common object, that was, the uplifting of their fellow-men. He hoped that in tho course of a year he and his colleagues would show a good record for the time they had been in office. They had lost a great and powerful man in Richard John Seddon, and they now had to take up the work and do the best, they could. They bad not the niana of him. They had to make a name and get as good an opinion of the pre- , sent Cabinet as existed of late. As far as ho was concerned ho would do all he could. i