ARBITRATION ACT AMENDMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8913, 6 September 1907, Page 2

ARBITRATION ACT AMENDMENT.

Employers’ Views

Bor Press Association,

Dunedin, September 5,

At a meeting of Otago Employers’ Association this afternoon it was decided to adhere to the resolutions passed by the Employers’ Federation in reference to the Arbitration Act Amendment Bill. The meeting also decided that in the event of Government insisting upon giving industrial councils a trial certain amendments would be necessary. It is understood that one of the principal amendments proposed by the local Association is m the direction of having four presidents appointed, two for each Island, the positions to be permanent and the remuneration for each president to be not less than £BOO a year with expenses. The opinion of the Association is that the fewer tribunals there tire the more likelihood will there be of uniformity of awards. Invekca'bg-ill. September 5. Thw Employers’ Association to-night heard the report of their delegates at the Conference in Wellington re the Conciliation and Arbitration Act as proposed to be amended. It was resolved that the Association approved generally of the proposals and left details in the hands of the advisory committee. Auckland, September o. The Auckland branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners has passed a resolution strenuously opposing the amendments to the Arbitration Act as detrimental to unionism and to the cause of labour, especially to this union, which is a benefit society and gives more benefits than any other society registered under the Act.

Wellington, September 5,

A deputation, representing tlie Trades Council’s Conference, had a lengthy interview to-day with the Minister for Labour, with reference to the Arbitration Bill. The chairman expressed the opinion that if the proposed amendments were carried the Act would bo no good to God or man. Ho then explained in detail the union’s objections, which had been sot out in the recent manifesto.

Tiro Hon. Mr Millar, in his reply, said it possibly would have been bettor if they had come to him before they issued the manifesto. However, he was only too pleased of an opportunity of giving the fullest publicity to the Bill, so that,the workers of the colony might understand it. Ho would show that some of the things, many of which were condemned in the manifesto, had been done at the instigation of tire officers of the unions. No one would deny that, from one end of the colony to the other, the demand had been made that something should be done to simplify procedure and do away with'ffielay'. He was endeavouring to prevent those delays and promote further conciliation. He had tried to avoid the evils of the Wages Board system in vogue in Victoria, and the proposal had been referred to the leaders of labour outside the Trades Councils, and they had approved of it. Under the system of Industrial Councils the Minister believed they would have proper conciliation. If the system was not to be conciliatory the sooner the Conciliation Boards were wiped opt the better.. The Government could not see its way to maintain the Boards ns at present constituted. Ho did .not stick :to every principle of-the Bill, hut ho thought its main principles wore good, ; and that it should bo given a trial. He did not want it to .go forth that lie had imposed greater responsibilities on , the v,-. ■■ !• :s. • Nino-tenths of what is in tls; Bill is either existing law or had been asked for by unions of the colony. ......