ARBITRATION BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1922, Page 6

ARBITRATION BILL.

PASSED BY THE HOUSE. LONG DEBATE CONCLUDED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Feb. 8. After the telegraph office closed the House continued the debate on the Arbitration Bill. Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) moved the following proviso to clause 10: “Provided the total reduction in the rates of remuneration as herein defined which the Court ma> determine shall not exceed in the aggregate 1C per cent.” The amendment was defeated by 41 to 11.

Mr. McCombs subsequently sought to change the date on which the Court would base its calculations from September to March. The amendment was lost by 41 ..to 11.

Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) moved that in no case should the minimum wage of a male worker fall below £4 10s per week. This was lost by 36 to 14.

The Minister moved an addition to clause 10 empowering the Court to give “such opportunity as it thinks proper” to representatives of parties to appear before it prior to any general order oeing made increasing or decreasing wages. \ The question was raised whether this gave the right to give evidence before the Court.

The Minister promised that the clause would be made clear on that point, and the amendment was agreed to.

Mr. Fraser moved an amendment giving the right of hearing cases before the Court in each industrial district. Lost by 40 to 12.

Clause 10 was then added to the Bill by 38 to 11.

The Minister moved a new clause enabling the E.F.C.A. to register under the Act.

Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labor Party) moved an amendment enabling all unions to register if they pleased. Lost by 43 to 7, and the Minister’s clause was added to tae Bill on the voices. *

Mr. Fraser moved a new clause giving unions the right to apply for Dominion awards. Rejected by 43 to 8. Provision was also moved by Mr. Fraser to prevent a multiplicity of unions. This was likewise rejected by 36 to 11. Other new clauses moved by the Labor Party met with a similar fate, and at 4.25 a.m. the Bill was reported from committee.

On the question that the Bill be read a third time Messrs. Howard, Holland and Fraser registered Labor’s final protest against the Bill, and when the Minister had replied the Bill was read a third time by 38 to 9 and passed. The House rose at 525 a.m. until 2.30 p.m.