ARBITRATION BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1927, Page 1

ARBITRATION BILL

EVIDENCE HEARD BY COMMITTEE.

WELLINGTON, Nov. 2. The taking of evidence regarding the Arbitration Act Amendment Bill before the Parliamentary Labour Bill Committee was begun to-day. J. Robinson, of Dunedin, representing forty-eight unions with a membership of 11,000 under cross-examination said that lie knew tlie fear of victimisation had prevented men from coming forward as arbitrators, so that the best men would not be obtained. The proposed constitution of tlie Court would give judges an opportunity ot altering awards. Piece-work of tlie kind set out in tlie Bill would strike at the roots of trade unionism. Piecework made for carelessness and accidents in dangerous occupations. To the lion. G. J. Anderson, witness declared that his statement that judges could break awards was correct. A judge and two assessors could make an award, and a judge alone could break the result. The Minister said that witness knew it i\ as only in eases whore new milllers were introduced. .

lu reply to a question as to whethei a. worker who did his best should not lie paid more than tlie man who did not, witness said an employer could dismiss an indifferent infill. Giving evidence on behalf of dairy factory employees. T. O’Bryne, of Southland, said that they wanted the protection afforded by tlie ( ourt. li Hie Bill were, carried they would go hack to the dark ages, and would have a, dozen men applying lor one position. The Act was tlieir sheet anchor. It would be practically impossible under clause 10 for agreements to he made The representative of the Auckland Dairy Workers’ Union stressed tlie conditions under which dairy workers earned their living. There should he some limitation of hours. Emploveis and the union in li is district worked harmoniously. To bring in the Bill would be to bring in strikes at present absent, break down of the ndustry and tiiuso a falling-off in quality. I lie fear of the men was that it they were cul out of the Act, wages would lull and the good team work now being done by good, well-paid men would siill'or. AH- F. Fulton, representing tlie Taranaki dairy workers, said the Bill was in tlie interests of neither workers nor farmers. He quoted from the balance-sheets of sown factories to show a general reduction in the cost of production per pound since the wining into operation of the Arbitration Court awards.