THE RIGHT TO WORK.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 71, 15 July 1914, Page 2

THE RIGHT TO WORK.

I Mr Payne moved for leave to introduce the Workers' Right to Work Bill. Not only, lie said, had the people the right to work, but they also had a right to a fair minimum wage. A revenue could be provided for this work by a super-income-tax and a retention of the tobacco tax. The excess of workers should be placed upon State farms, covering sheep farms, agriculture, and all branches of country life. The increase of wages was not the cause of industrial trouble, but the way the Tory party had forced up the price of land". Mr Webb thought the Government should see that every willing man bad the right to work. Mr G. W. Russell deprecated the victimisation of men who had taken part in industrial agitation. Mr Ell suggested as a remedy a reduction in the hours of labor. If this were done by the Railway Department and local bodies, and the private employers were to adopt this method, it would mean the absorbing of a very large portion of unemployed labor.

Mr Voitch deprecated the revengeful feeling extended towards men connected with the recent industrial trouble. They should rather try and get behind the cause of the trouble. It was practically impossible to find work for all able bodied men, but they could make an attempt to get over the real of unemployment in New Zealand. To provide the money required he suggested a super-income tax on incomes of over £IOOO. Mr Hannan said a. practical way to deal with the subject was to open up more land, which would mean more employment. Mr Isitt contended that more manufactures should be established. One difficulty in providing work was the fact that there were so many men engaged in monopolies—men who sweated the people, and produced so little. Mr Hindmarsh said that if the Bill were seriously taken up by the Government, and an effort made to im-pi-ove it, some good might be done. Mr Payne having replied, Ifche Bill was read a first time. OTHER BILLS. ■> Mr Payne also introduced the Mortgage on Chattel Security Foreclosure Prevention Bill which was read a first time. Mr Mander introduced the Whangarei Harbor Empowering Bill, which was read a first time. EVENING SESSION. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The Annual Land and Income Tax Bill was introduced by Governor's, message.

The Minister intimated that it contained no charges, and the first reading was agreed to. LOCAL ELECTIONS. Hon. F. M. B. Fisher introduced the Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill. He said it was practically a machinery measure. Clause 2 was designed to deal with the detection of dual voting, and proposed that Parliamentary election methods he adopted. Section G extended the period during which nominations could be received from five to ten days. Sir .Joseph Ward said he was afraid the Bill opened the door, to the ahuse of secrecy of the ballot. Otherwise he saw no great objection to it. He incidentally mentioned that settlers in some districts were experiencing difficulty in obtaining enrolment forms for Parliamentary roils, and the complaint seemed common in all parts of the country. Mr- Glover suggested that passage of the Bill be delayed until the Municipal Councils of Auckland had had an opportunity of making representations to the Government upon the subject. Mr Wilford said that the guarantee from Mr Martin, solicitor of the Municipal Association that the Bill was necessary was enough for him, but he thought that it would he well to get an expression from the local authorities upon the measure. Mr Russell held there could he no secrecy of the Ballot in the proposed system. They should carefully scrutinise the law with regard to local elections as well as with Parliamentary elections. Mr Millar said the Bill looked to him as if fchey returning to open voting, Mr Nidoy suggested that the Bill 'should be put through its second reading and then held over until the Municipal Conference had had opportunity to consider the measure. He thought, the Bill might avcll come i into a. general measure consolidating local government law. Mr McComhs also urged that the measure be delayed until the Municipal Conference had had opportunity to deal with it. Hon. Fisher said that if there was any danger to secrecy of the ballot lie hoped it would be disclosed, hecause if that was the case a change would have to he made. He did not propose to put the Bill through before the Municipal Conference \w)

"dealth with it. Instructions had been given to make enrolment forms available in all districts. He thought it well to bring the ballot paper for local elections into lino with the general elections. The second reading was agreed to. FRUIT INDUSTRY. The Premier moved the second reading of the Fruit Preserving Industry Bill, and said it was the Government's duty to do all in its power to help the fruit-growing .industry, as they had helped the dairy industry in the past. Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Atmoro and Mr Witty supported the moasure, the last-named urging that the small holders should he fostered rather than the large companies. Mr Veitch .suggested that the Valuation Department should revalue fruit lands. If this were done, the fruit fanners would be able to borrow more satisfactorily. Mr Isitt brought under the notice of the Minister the slackness in inspection of orchards in cities and suburbs. After the supper adjournment the debate was continued, and the Premier having replied, the second reading was carried. Hon. Fisher moved the second reading of the Harbors Amendment Rill, saying that ample opportunity would be given to local authorities to consider the Bill before it was proMessrs Russell, Glover, Wilford, Witty, and Bradney spoke,, and the ceeded with.