ARBITRATION COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 179, 29 July 1903, Page 8

ARBITRATION COURT.

APPOINTMENT' OF DEPUTIES.

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day

In answer to Mr. Arnold., who asked the Premier if he would appoint a deputy to sit on the Arbitration Court bench, during the illness of Mr. Brown, in order to prevent an accumulation of business, Mr. Seddon pointed out that under the Act he had not the power to appoint a substitute. He pointed out that up to the present no delay through Mr Brown's illness had occurred. Mr. Justice Cooper having been engaged in Supreme Court work. He considered that an alteration should be made in the Act to permit a deputy member of the Court to be elected by each side to act in case of the illness of the first member, thereby preventing an accumulation of business. It would be a pity that men of such experience as Messrs. Brown amd Siator should have to resign through illness., which, would only be of a temporary character.

Mr. Seddon announced that the Government would promote legislation, to relieve the situation, and in the meantime he hoped for Mr. Brown's speedy restoration to health. He had been informed that he was now in a fair way to reeoverv.