ARBITRATION LAW

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19880, 8 May 1936, Page 7

ARBITRATION LAW

SECOND READING CARRIED PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS. PREVENTION OF EXPLOITATION. WELLINGTON, Thursday. The second reading debate on the industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill was completed in the House of Representatives this evening, being carried by 50 votes to 17. A feature was that Mr R. A. Wright (Independent —Wellington Suburbs) voted with the Government. The claim that in introducing preference to unionists the Government had merely followed ail example set by many employers was made by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, when replying to points raised by Opposition speakers during the debate. “ There is nothing unreasonable in the proposed preference clause in the bill,” said Mr Armstrong, “ and as a matter of fact if you want pure and simple, unadulterated compulsory unionism you have only to follow the example of the employers of this country. They led the way In this matter.” Mr Armstrong said that to claim that the clause would give union officials the right to invade the sanctity of the home was a wicked misrepresentation. The home was not an industrial place, and the clause definitely came under the heading of industrial matters. Cost of Living. 11 It has been stated by the member for New Plymouth and by other speakers,” said Mr Armstrong, ” that the provisions of the Bill and the increase in wages are going to increase the cost of living and that if the Government does not do something to counteract the rise the worker will not benetit in the end. It is the intention of the Government to see that workers, are reasonably remunerated for their services, and that they are not unreasonably exploited in regard to the cost of living." The fixing of the basic wage on the requirements of a man, his wife and three children was criticised by Mr S. G- Holland (.Opposition—Christchurch North). " We are providing for 103,000 wives who are not married,” continued Mr Holland, " and .for 537,000 children who are not yet born. By providing for a man, his wife and three children we are providing for industry to carry 040,000 more people than there are in New Zealand. The Commonwealth of Australia adjusted the figure to two children, in New South Wales it is one and in Western Australian and Queensland two each.” Mr Holland suggested that the Minister would secure the co-operation of the Opposition if he agreed that the number of children to be considered was reduced to two. The Minister, in reply, said he had decided on providing for three child- ' ren so as to obtain a higher basic wage. Opposition Members: That is frank, anyway. Details of Voting. Details of the division are as follows : Ayes (50). —Anderton, Armstrong, Atmore, Barnes, Barrell, C. H. Burnett, Campbell, Carr, Christie, Coleman, CotteriU, Coulter, Cullen, Denham, Fraser, Herring, Hodgens, Howard, Hultquist, Hunter, Jones, Jordan, Langstone, Lee, Lowry, Lyon, McDougall, McMillan, Martin, Mason, Moncur, Munro, Nordmeyer, O’Brien, Parry, Petrie, Ratana, Richards, Roberts, Robertson, Schramm, Semple, Sexton, Sullivan, Thorn, Tirikatene, Webb, Williams, Wilson, Wright. Noes (17).. —Bodkin, Broadfoot, TD. Burnett, Coales, Cobbe, Dickie, Endean, Forbes, Hamilton, Hargest, Holland, Holyoake, Kyle, Poison, Roy, Smith, Wilkinson.