NEW LEGISLATION

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19895, 26 May 1936, Page 6

NEW LEGISLATION

. I SHOPS AND FACTORIEb. t i I THE “ BLANKETING " CLAUSE. | i i \VELLINGTON, Monday. Interviewed‘io—day, the lion. 11. ’l‘. Armstrong, Minister of Labour, made it clear that the Shops and Oilices Amendment Bill and the Factories Amendment Bill apply only to workers directly covered by those measures. Mr Armstrong pointed out that there had been a good deal ot‘ misunderstand—ing as to the meaning of a clause appearing in both of the Bills, which States that all awards and industrlai agreements under the industrial (jouuilialion and Arbitration Act, 1925, shall be retul subject to the provisions of either of the measures introduced this session. It was mentioned that. there was a belie! in some quarters that because of that clause all awards and industrial agreements now in ex—istence would be affected, whether the workers were registered as factory workers or workers in shops and oillces or in any other industry. The Minister made it clear that the “blanketing” clause could not apply to workers not employed in factories or shops and offices. The “blanketing” clause nullifles section 151 01‘ the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1925, which states that awards under that Act are not to be affected by any subsequent legislation. Had the clause not been included the provisions of the new legislation could not have applied until the expiration of existing awards and agreements. Now the legislation will operate for all workers under those two Acts immediately it comes into force, with the exception of the clauses dealing with the shorter working week, which, as previously announced, will not operate until September 1.