ARBITRATION COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 159, 8 July 1896, Page 5

ARBITRATION COURT.

(by telegraph.— press association.)

Christchukch, Monday. The firab Bibfcing of the Arbioration Court under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act was held to-day. The Court was composed of Mr Justice Williams, Mr H. Thomson (Christchurch), and Mr R. Siatfcer (Dunedin). The business of the Courb was to consider a point referred to ib by the Conciliation Board, which eat here some time ago to consider a dispute between master bootmakers and their employees. The point in dispute was to a clause in statement issued by the Masters' Association, which runs, " That employers shall not discriminate either for or against any man as to whether he does or does not belong to any trade organisation." The employees, on the other hand, wish to insist that none but Union hands shall be employed. The Employers' Association is represented by Mr John Kingsland, of Invercargill, Mr R. M. Turner (Cbrisßchurch) ; the employees by Mr R. Ferguson, MrO. F. Arnold (both Dunedio), and Mr A. J. Buchanan (Chrisbchurch). After' the Court was duly opened, Mr Justice Williams said the point the Courb would like to consider first waa Ohe power ot fctie Conciliation Board to refer one point in a dispute to the Court of Arbitration. After long argument, the Court retired to consider this point. On resuming, His Honor delivered the decision of the Courb on bho point raised, and held that the word " matter " referred to the whole subject in dispute, nob to one item only, and therefore the Board should have considered the whole of the points and given a discussion thereon. He did not think that the question had been properly brought before the Court, and, in reply to a question, said the Board would be notified of the decision of the Courb. The proceedings then terminated.