LABOR AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1919, Page 5

LABOR AT HOME.

THE-UNIONS INDIGNANT, , OVER- THE NEW PROPOSALS. By Assn.—Copyright. London, Nov. 1. ~ The proposals of the Ministry of' tabor have raised a storm of trade union indignation, forcing Sir Robert Home (the Minister for Labor) to announce the deletion of the clauses empowering industrial courts to make awards binding, and' denying the right to strike against an award. It is semi-officially pointed out that Sir Robert Home's draft proposals were submitted only as a basis of discussion during yesterday's negotiations in connection with the continuance of the Act establishing the present wages for another year. Labor immediately repudiated the proposals, as it considered them a direct attempt to involve Labor in the responsibility for making strikes illegal.

The situation was strained throughout to-day, tlie trade unionists declaring that they preferred to let the Act lapse and come immediately to grips on the wfeges question rather than be a party to the Bill. Sir Robert Home had a prolonged conference with the trade unionists in the afternoon, after which the Laborites announced their decision to call on Wednesday a special conference of the trades 'immediately concerned, principally shipbuilding and engineering. They also decided, as the proposals affected the whole trade union movement, to invite the Parliamentary cominittee of the Trade Union Congress to attend. Later in the evening Sir Robert Home announced the deletion of the clauses to which objection was raised. It is stated that lie will introduce the Bill on Monday. The Bill retains the proposal to establish an industrial I court, which will be available to settle disputes with consent after the parties fail. It also empowers the Minister to appoint courts of inquiry into the causes and circumstances of disputes. The Bill omits the provision compelling employers to go to arbitration with reference to demands for increased wages.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.