PARLIAMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 2 December 1927, Page 6

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ARBITRATION BILL, THE COMMITTEE STAGE. Wellington, December 1. Consideration of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill was resumed in committee by . the House of Representatives this afternoon. The Minister of Labour appealed to the committee to agree to let the measure proceed and discuss it from a non-party point of view. During recent years industrial conditions had become such as to cause all men serious apprehension whether the present structure of the conciliation and arbitration legislation could he maintained. Primary industries were particularly affected, and the Government was anxious to do everything possible for the benefit of industries. Conferences had been suggested. but these should have something definite to consider. If such a conference were sought, would all the parties concerned attend, and if they did. would they consider the matters from the point of view of a beneficial solution, and not with the idea of gaining particular advantages to any one section of the community? ’The bill was a genuine attempt to meet the great difficulties that had developed, and was not ns had been alleged an attempt to undermine the present system of conciliation and arbitration. The Government could, no doubt, force the measure through, but would such a thing be of any real use ? Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Opposition) agreed that good would result from a full dispusston, and suggested that if the bill were then held over until next session something useful might be evolved. The Minister had said the farmers did not object on the score of wages, but they did regard the conditions as burdensome. What did “conditions” mean? Did they desire to lower the conditions under which farm labourers were working or living ? Mr G. W. Forbes (Leader of the Nationalists) considered the suggestion for a conference of the parties concerned was most likely to be productive of good for industry. Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) agreed as to the benefit possible l.oni a conference, so long as the “paid agitator” from the towns wns kept out. The agitator was nio ‘‘dread of the farmer.” MR HOWARD CONCURS. Mr E. J. Howard* (Christchurch South) concurred in the Minister s idea that the matter should he considered in a thoroughly conciliatory manner to see how the position, which contained difficulties, could 1 e met so that the best possible results were secured. Good feeling prevailed at present between wage-takers and wage-payers, and nothing should lie done to militate against this The present bill would outlaw a large section of workers from the benefit of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The debate was carried on by Messrs D. Jones, F. Waite. H. I'. Armstrong, A. Hamilton". J. A. Lee, T. Forsyth, D. G. Sullivan. J. Mason, H. S. S. Kyle. J. R. Hamilton, H E. Holland, E. J. Howard, and D. Buddo. The Prime Minister said this Question was one of the most important the country had to face . (The Premier’s remarks are reported elsewhere.) CONFERENCE AGREED TO. At 1 o’clock Mr Holland suggested to the Prime Minister that a conference of a committee of both sides of the House should meet in the morni'ng and discuss the details of the bill and see if there was any probalitv of arriving at a common understanding on the details of the bill, otherwise they were only going to drift into a lone and acrimonious discussion. The Prime Minister said if the committee would pass the short title of the bill, then he would be prepared to report progress and meet in the morning to discuss what further steps should be taken. On this understanding progress was reported at 1.20 a.m. A conference will be held in the morning. FINANCE BILL. An amendment to the Finance Bill dealing with teachers’ superannuation was introduced by GovernorGeneral’s message and read the first time. The managers of the Rent Restriction Bill reported that agreement was come to with the Legislative Council, though not entirely satisfactory to the House. The report was received. The report of the conference on the Coal Mines Bill was read and agreed to. the Legislative Council not insisting on its amendments. The House rose at 1.40 until 11 a.m. to-day. , LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The Insurance Companies' Deposits Amendment Bill was reported by the Statutes Revision Committee with no amendment extending the date for the making of deposits to March 31 next. The bill was put through the final stages and passed With the amendment made by the committee. A new amendment was proposed by the Hon. T. S. Weston, and Sir Francis Bell intimated that if he considered it necessary after considering it he would introduce it by Governor-General’s message. A request by the House for a conference on the Rent Restriction Continuance Bill and the Coal Mines Amendment Bill was agreed to, and the conference was arranged. The Licensing Amendment Bill was received from the House and read the first time. The Contributory Negligence Bill (the Hon. J. MacGregor) was put through its final stages and passed without amendment. The Council adjourned at 3.40 p.m until 8 to-night.