MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2213, 10 June 1908, Page 3

MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS

THE MINISTER OF LABOR. AN INTERVIEW IN CHRISTCHURCH. (Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 9. The Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister oif Labor, urrived in town last _ night from Dunedin, on bis-way to Wellington. Asked regarding the present position of matters m connection with the farm laborers’ dispute ibe- ' .fore the Canterbury. Conciliation Beard, Mr. Millar said .that all ho could add to what he hud uilr'eady said on the subject was that seeing that the members of the old Board had .been re-elected, he did not think that the. Board wjag under any necessity to apply for any extension of time within which to draw up its report to the Arbitration Court. He had received the minutes of the meetings of the Baird held on May 29th and June 6tli, .and from the minutes of the* meetings held on the last mentioned clato (last Saturday* he learned-..-that the Board had decided that no further extension of time having been granted, and the Board being unable to complete its report within the time allowed, it hud banded in t,ho whole of the evidence, the summing-up spec dies of both sides, and a cop* - of the minutes of the Board’s proceedings to the Clerk of Awards for the use of the Arbitration Court. .Consequently, Mr. Millar remarked, the Court would now be in full possession of the evidence in the case. Referring to the General question of the position of Conciliation Boards, the Minister said that they had developed into ia lower Court Where all chance of conciliation had disappeared. They merely wasted the time and money of the workers, and only served .the purpose of. allowing employees and employers to feel one another’s strength. The Boards had drifted away from the original idea of conciliation until now they were conducted with all 'the formalities Of a Court. Referring to the contention that . domestic servants could not- take advantage of the Arbitration Court, Mr. Millar said that he thought that it was wroiig that they should not be able to do so. Under his proposed Industrial Councils Act any workers who desired could take advantage of \ the Councils if they were formed into unions. The Primo Minister and,Mr. .Millar spent to-day receiving deputations and visiting Hie Industries Week exhibits. They left for Wellington this evening. The Hon. J. A. Millar received several deputations to-day. Representatives, of the Tramways Employees Union asked the Minister’s assistance in getting the tramway dis~_mite heard before undertaking, said ---riewonld communicate with the Union on the matter. •' A deputation from the Hotel Employees Union asked that clause 20 of the Arbitration Act be amended in tiie direction of securing to night porters and others the weekly halfholiday from 2 p.m. They also asked that the hours of female employees in hotels should be limited to 52 per week. The Minister promised to consider the matter.

THE PRIME MINISTER

CHRIST CHURCH' DEPUTATIONS. (Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 9. A number of deputations also waited oil Sir J. G- Ward to-day. . The Mayor and representatives of the City Council and .the Canterbury Chamber of 'Commerce urged that the railage between Lyttelton and Christchurch on' the steel pipes lor the municipal waterworks should be charged according to dead weight and not by measurement. It was stated that at present the charge was 25 per ton, whereas the Drainage Board had been charged only 6s per ton dead weight for the, carriage of heavier pipes. The Minister for Railways had refused to sanction the charge; The Premier, in reply, said he would bring the matters brought up by the deputations before the Minister, and ask him to look into them from the ■ City Council’s point of view and reconsider his previous decision. A deputation from the School Committees' Association brought under theiPrime Minister's notice the necessity ifor the medical examination of school children, and the introduction of single desks. Wdt'h regird to the. latter, the Prime Minister said it would be difficult to say whether .he could meet the wishes olf the deputa-, tion. As to the medical examination of school children, he had some years ago stated that it ought to be done in This country. He looked upon-it as being of very great importance. Ot'hor countries 'were doing it, and New ZealUnd should not lag behind in such an important matter. He know that Mr. Fowldsbad been looking into the matter, and it would receive careful consideration. ■The .Prime Minister visited the Canterbury Museum and Canterbury Collego in connection with the .proposals of the 'Board of Governors to make additions to the.-Museum und to build a Chemical laboratory. He .pointed out the proposed additions to .the Museum would coyt £12,000, and the now chemical laboratory £BOOO, of which £3OOO was in band. Government assistance was asked for. Sir Joseph said lie thought tbit the Government .might give favorable consideration to .a contribution to the cost of one of the buildings. He thought that .Christchurch was entitled to consideration. What had been done ■by the people here, under the old form of Government .was exceedingly qred- ■ j table to them. iHe fully endorsed all tho statements made as to the importance of the Museum, but ns lie understood' from what tlie Chairman bad said that the die mi on I laboratory was the more essential, lie would put it on the list for consideration.

Another deputation larked that some modification of the regulations regarding rifle .clubs should be made to .permit university students forming rifle clubs, which could not ibe done at .present. Sir Joseph ssld he was glad to have had the pecniiariites of the situation placed before him, and lie recognised .the difficulties that existed. He would look into the matter and see of the regulations could he drafted to meet' the requirements of universities, -'wv-’ ' " "‘v ■