1
directly by the two parties concerned.
"Although in 1966-67, the Conciliation Section dealt with about
2,600 cases, I am quito sure that these represent only a small proportion
of disputes of all kinds. It is a proper function of the department to
attempt to reconcile two parties who wish to turn to a neutral third party
for help. Recourse to voluntary conciliation has boon the common and gonerally
successful method of procedure for over 20 years.
Nevertheless, recent
experience has suggested that additional machinery may be necessary to
sottle disputes not amenable to voluntary conciliation.
"Studies are in train to examine these problems to see if any new
legislation appears to be desirable. I have already stated in this Council
in December last year that, during 1968, efforts would be made to replace
by permanent legislation the Illegal Strikes and Lock-outs Ordinance which
at present must be renewed annually.
Problems Of Strikes And Lock-Outs
"The legislation under consideration will seek to deal with the
problems of strikes and lock-outs which have an object other than or in
addition to the furtherance of a trade dispute in essential services.
"The occurrence of a dispute is usually symptomatic of a break-down
in communication between labour and management. The establishment of appropriate
consultative machinery will not insure against all risks of disputes but,
if operated with patience and mutual understanding, will considerably reduce
the risks,"
Mr. Hetherington announced that considerable preliminary work had
been done on a bill which would require the establishment of consultative
machinery in organisations employing more than a prescribed number of workers
and where inadequate or no alternative methods were practised.
/With