CO129-603-4 Industrial relations- necessity for introducing arbitration procedures 16-10-1946 - 20-12-1946 — Page 43

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(b) The Industrial Relations Branch of the Ministry of Labour and

National Service.

In order to enable the Minister to carry out the duties imposed on him by these Acts, there has been established within the Ministry a special Branch, known as "Industrial Relations", this Branch consists of a Headquarter Staff and small staffs of export conciliation officers at six of the principal industrial centres in the Country.

The principal functions of this Branch are:-

(a) the prevention and settlement of trade disputes;

(b) encouraging and assisting the formation of joint negotiaing

machinery;

(c) examining and advising upon proposals, legislative and otherwise,

affecting the relations between employers and workpeople;

and

(d) assisting and advising with regard to industrial questions arising

in the course of administration in all Government Departments

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and (e) in the case of officers in outstations to keep in continuous touch

with the state of relations between employers and employed in their respective arcas, and to inform Headquarters of matters of importance in this connection.

The general policy of the Ministry is to encourage self-government in industry and only to intervenc if any voluntary machinery that the parties themselves have established has failed to produce a settlement. Subject to this the services of the Department are at the disposal of both employers and employees if so desired in connection with all questions relating to the conduct of their mutual affairs.

(c) Method of rendering assistance in industrial disputes.

The methods by which the Minister of Labour may render assistance in the settlement and prevention of industrial disputes may be broadly classified under three heads:-

(a) conciliation;

(b) arbitration; and

(c) investigation and the appointment of a Court of Inquiry.

It should be observed, however, that in dealing with any particular case resort may be had to two or even all the above methods in order to effect a settlement.

(a) Conciliation.

Under the Conciliation Act, 1896, (Section 2(1)(b)) the Minister may take such steps as may seem expedient for the purpose of enabling the parties to a difference to meet together, by themselves or their representatives, under the presidency of a chairman mutually agreed upon, or nominated by the Minister or some other body with a view to the amicable settlement of the difference. Under Section 2(1)(c), the Minister may also on the application of employers or workmen interested, and after taking into consideration the existence and adequacy of the means available for conciliation in the district or trade and the circumstances of the case, appoint a person or persons to act as conciliator or as a Board of Conciliation.

Under Section 2(1) of the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, the Minister may take such steps as seem to him expedient for promoting a settlement of any trade dispute reported to him by or on behalf of the parties.

11.