IN THE HOUSE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1932, Page 5

IN THE HOUSE

DEBATE CONTINUED. (By Tdigraph — Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 12. .• In ths House of Representatives yestsrday Hon. G. Forbes presented the .interim report of the National Expenditure Committee. . The debate on the second reading of the'lndustrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment was continued and was interrupted when tile House rose at 11.95 p.m. till 7.30 p.m. on Monday. 'Speaking during the debate, Mr Ransom isaid he did not think employers would endanger .t'aeii® by trying to impose unjust conditions. 'Workers would still have the protection of public opinion. There would be no incentive to break off conciliation proceedings when it ovas realised the case would not necessarily, be referred to the Court. There would,' on the contrary, be the strongest .possible incentive ito reach an agreement. He considered New Zealand was well ‘ past the worst stage of the depression, and that she was on the . upward move. There were, however, restrictions in industry that would have to be removed. The disparity between the prices of raw and manufactured articles required investigation and it was not only wages that would require attention.' The problem was one for the Minister of industries and commerce, a s well as the Minister of Labour. Mr McMillan said he did not think there were grbiiftdi' 3a f»l , vt1 l R! nervousness of . opposition members concerning the effect the measure might have on employees. He promised that if it operated as dreadfully 'as they feared it would, Government would 'immediately dues drastic remedial legislation, A 'second Coalition supporter to eSfc 5 * presis opposition to the Bill was Mr Stall worthy, who said he (had on firirt*; studying the Bill dome to the that it was a futile, clumsy, self tradictory, reactionary measure and that T as it .stood it would destroy one of the best Liberal epoch-making laws placed on the statute book. It would destroy the main principle of the Arbitration system and place industrial life in the hands of Communist agitators on one side and unscrupulous employers on the other side. He agreed that a great body of employers were wen of integrity and humanity, but it required only one unscrupulous employer in a hundred to bring down the standard. • This aspect caused !hini grave concern.