ARBITRATION BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1927, Page 2

ARBITRATION BILL

ar Ttii.euiiA t>H —cress assn., corvHiuHi

AVELLINGTON, Nov. 11

Evidence was given by -Mr Bishop representing Die Employers’ Federation, before the Labour Bills Committee to-dav. lie was supported by Air S. E. Wright, secretary of the Auckland provincial Employers’ Assoeia-

Mr T. 0. Bishop was taken to task by lion. G. J. Anderson in regard to the expression “selling a pup,” useci in a statement of the Employers’ Federation yesterday. Air Anderson wanted to know if lie meant that the Government was deliberately trying to deceive the farmers. .Mr Bishop said that it was only a figurative expression. What he said was that in their opinion the measure was going to ileieat its own ends. They believed that the Bill would not meet the farmers’ difficulties. In twelve months the farmers would come and ask Parliament to undo what had been done. There was nothing m the expression that could be taken as a reflection on the Government’s integrity. Jt was only an expression ol opinion that the Bill was a mistake.

The Minister said that the colloquial meaning of the phase was plain; deceiving somebody. “Do you take that back” ho asked.

Air Bishop: Nothing was further from my mind. It was remarked that strictly the pup had not entered into the discussion, as it was a newspaper article only. Air Anderon: It was intended to be a little bit of dirt for tlie Government.

Air Bishop: It was designed to create doubt in the minds of farmers, as to the wisdom of the proposal. That was all. Continuing his evidence before the Committee on the Arbitration Amendment Bill, Air P. Talbot, Vice-Presi-dent of the South Canterbury Farmers’ I'nion, said that they wanted men to be paid on the basis of payment by results. The farming industry should he exempt from the Act. Air T. C. Brash, President of the Fruitgrowers’ Federation, said that fruit-growing should be among the exemptions.

ATr H. O’Alalley, representing the Hotel and Restaurant Workers, said that the Court had given satisfaction, and could not be interfered with without harm to the industry. Permanent assessors were well qualified to deal with the various awards.

Air E. Kennedy, Secretary of the Cooks’ and Stewards’ Union, said that the Bill would drive them outside altogether. They would mot attempt to work under the proposed Act. They were in favour of permanent assessors. Afr H. Seed, representing the Fedeated Saw-millers of the Dominion, was of the opinion that provision for an alteration in the personnel of the Court was not good. He was noT in favour of the Bill. They preferred district wards Dominion awards. They approved of payrnent by results