LABOUR LAWS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1930, Page 8

LABOUR LAWS

IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE MADE. COMMITTEES TO BE SET UP. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan, 27. “The safest and surest way to industrial peace will be found on the lines of economic justice as embodied in sound labour laws and the equitable administration of them,” declared the Minister of Labour! the (Hon \\\ A. Veiteh) in Christchurch yeslerday. This remark was made at ciio conclusion of a statement by tin. Minister on the progress made in the carrying out of lus promise tlia. during the parliamentary recess special committees would be set up ti investigate respectively the problem.l- - woriters’ compensation and the&nops anti Offices Act. Mr Veiteh said that the constitu tion of both these, committees had been approved by Cabinet, and invitations would shortly be issued to those who, it was intended, should he members. Both of the problems were some what involved and difficult, but he was very confident that the judgment and experience of tne prospective members would be very helpful to him in drafting the legislative proposals which it would be his privilege to introduce to Parliament in the coming session.

“Believing, as 1 do, that when the Department of Labour was established by the earlier Liberal Government it was intended to administer labour laws in the interests of tiie wage-earn-ers, 1 intend, as far as it is reasonable, to restore that characteristic oi the administration of the department and also to improve and strengthen the labour laws on sound and reasonable lines,” said the Alinister.

WORK OF INTERNATIONAL OFFICE. INVESTIGATIONS BY MR E. J. RICHES. \ AUCKLAND, January 27. After spending three years in Geneva as one New Zealender on the staff of the International Labour organisation, Air E. J. Riches, formerly a student of Canterbury College, arrived by the Niagara to-day to spend about three months in the Dominion, partly on vacation, and partly in making investigations oji behalf of his office. He expects to meet\a considerable number of people connected with the employers’ associations and trade unions. En route to New Zealand he spent four months in the United States of America, and a week in Honolulu.

New Zealand shares with San Domingo find Ethiopia (or Abyssinia) the distinction of being three among tiie 55 members of the International Labour organisation which have not been represented at any of the annual conferences held since 1919. New Zealand's name also appears with those of u number of minor States in the list or members which have not ratined any of the conventions about unity in number, which have been adopted at the conferences. Ain Riches said that in this way New Zealand was failing to take advantage of the opvortunity to help in bringing labour conditions in other countries up to me high standard enjoyed here. i rather think New Zealand is frightened of the word ‘Labour’ in the title of the organisation,” he said, “but it is as much as employers’ as a workers’ organisation, and the balance is hchl by the Governments.” The object of the organisation was to bring about a gradual rise in the standard of living of the workers,, and to coordinate the labour legislation of the different countries. Already it had played a considerable part in improving the working conditions in certain Oriental countries and in the new European States which arose after the War. Because of the ramifications of international trade New Zealand, with its high standard of living, and good working rend.lions and labour legislation, should have particular interest in the organisation’s efforts to raise the standard in other countries.