LABOUR LAWS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 April 1939, Page 6

LABOUR LAWS

NEW POLICY DISCLOSED CO-OPERATION IN INDUSTRY. ANNOUNCEMENT BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association ) CHRISTCHURCH, April 4. Before legislation affecting labour laws in New Zealand is introduced, the Bills will be referred first to Cabinet, then to the caucus of the Labour Party, and then to the advisory councils of industry for their consideration. This new policy was disclosed by the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, this evening when he said that a number of Bills were already ready for consideration through the various channels.

The Minister made his announcement when he was questioned on the possibility of the Government introducing legislation making a five-day week for shops compulsory. It was pointed out to him that the official journal of the Federated Shop Assistants’ Association had published his photograph with the caption, “Our hope for a 40-hour, five-day week,” and that a report had been made that his predecessor, Mr Armstrong, had promised favourable legislation. In reply the Minister outlined his new. policy of dealing with industrial legislation. Contemplated measures, he said, involved amendments mostly to the Shops and Offices Act and the Factories Act, and a consolidation was proposed of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act.

No changes in the constitution of the Court of Arbitration were proposed. The present Court was working quite efficiently and was hoping to be able to catch up with major work. The policy of the Court in fixing longer terms for awards made by it was approved by the Minister, who said that it would bring about greater stabilisation in industry. Negotiations are being made for the formation of a National Council of Industry, following on the foundation of district councils. High hopes for the scheme bringing about greater unity in industry were expressed. “The response from every part of New Zealand and from both sides to the call for unity and co-operation in industry has been excellent, both , employers and employees being enthusiastic, about getting together to face the problems in a united way,” said Mr Webb. “The Government is anxious to co-operate to the fullest extent with employers and employees to evolve a more practical and harmonious form of working, and I am informed in many quarters that, as a result of that more harmonious spirit finding an expression in,industry, a better feeling and better results are.accruing.......