DOMINION PARLIAMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19890, 20 May 1936, Page 8

DOMINION PARLIAMENT

FACTORIES BILL. DIVISIONS ON CLAUSES. DISMISSAL OF EMPLOYEES. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Further amendments were moved in the House of Representatives to-day when the committee stages of the Factories Amendment Bill were completed. An attempt to secure greater elasticity in the granting of periodical increments to factory workers was made by members of the Opposition. Mr S. G. Holland (Opposition— Christchurch North) moved two amendments with the object of providing for annual increments instead of half-yearly and of altering the provision in the Bill that increments must be made on the starting wage, whether an employee was paid more than the minimum or notThere was a division on both amendments, the voting being against the amendments by 48 votes to 12 in each case. Holiday Pay. An amendment was introduced by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, providing that the holiday pay stipulations in the Bill will override any provision of this nature in Arbitration Court awards or conciliation agreements. An unsuccessful effort was made by members of the Opposition to secure the elimination of the clause in the Bill which provides against the dismissal of employees or a reduction in wages as a result of any reduction or alteration of working hours. Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition—Riccarton) referred to the position of a man who had just bought machinery worth £2OOO, which would ultimately displace ten men- How was he going to fare if he had gone to the expense of installing machinery and was not to be permitted to dispense with the services of men who would not be required ? Mr J. A. Lee (Government —Grey Lynn) said the Government was concerned only with promoting efficient production. Mr Kyle was arguing against something that would make business more efficient. Members of the Opposition called for a division on the clause, which was carried by 50 votes to 12. Change of Occupations. The contention that one of the provisions in the Bill might jeopardise the future of many young workers by preventing them from changing to more suitable occupations was made by several Opposition speakers. A subclause in the Bill provides that when determining the rate of payment to factory workers, former periods of employment in factory work must be taken into account by the employer. The Rt. Hon. J- G. Coates (Opposition—Kaipara) moved an amendment which would have the effect of eliminating from that provision persons under 17 years of age. The amendment was lost on the voices, and the sub-clause was retained in the Bill by 45 voles to 10. Work on Sundays. The ciause in the Bill dealing with payment for work on Sundays was the subject of considerable, discussion. The Hon. A. Hamilton (Opposition— Wallace) said there were some classes of workers who, owing lo the peculiar nature of their employment, had to he employed on Sundays and statutory holidays. Awards at present recognised that fact and provided mat they should have time off on other days. Men engaged in the publication of newspapers provided a case in pointThey had to work on Sundays and holidays to produce the newspapers for the following days. Under the Bill with the over-riding of awards they would have to be paid treble time. “ * No labour is employed on Christmas Day or Good Friday unless it is compulsory that it should have to be employed,” Mr Armstrong said. ”If a man works on Sundays or holidays he is entitled to extra payment for it.” Mr Armstrong’s amendment providing for the over-riding of awards provisions with regard to holidays was carried on the voices. The remaining clauses of the Bill were passed without discussion and the Bill was reported to the House with amendments just belore the lea adjournment.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE ARBITRATION BILL. CLAUSE TO BE DELETED. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The opinion that the basic wage would be a success in New Zealand as it had been in Australia waff expressed by the Hon. M. Fagan, Leader of the Legislative Council, in moving the committal of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill in the Council to-day. " I had my doubts in connection with the clause,” Mr Fagan added, "and I have consulted the Minister in charge of the Bill. I propose to move that the clause be struck out when the Bill is in committee.” Mr Fagan pointed out that in the first place the clause referred to charitable or religious organisations, whereas there were many charitable institutions, not religious, that would not be covered by the clause. Further, employment must be given to an unemployed man nr a returned soldier, and under the clause it would be necessary for an employer to secure an under-rate worker's permit from the Arbitration Court.

The debate was adjourned and the Council rose at 5 p.m.