THE LABOUR LAWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 185, 5 August 1913, Page 7

THE LABOUR LAWS.

AND CONSTITUTION OF COTJET. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Cabinet Ministers have been so busy with the final touches to the Budget during tbe past week that legislative measures on the stocks have just had to stay there, though only awaiting final approval before launching. Among others -in this category is that very important and eagerly-anticipated Arbitration Act Amendment Bill, about which speculation has been so busy of late in industrial circles. The measure is practically ready to tnq last little marginal alterations, but the Prime Minister has not even been able to find time in the last few days to give it his last seal and mandate of approval, seeing that the Budget itself is to come down on Wednesday or Thursday night —there is still a shadow of doubt which day will be chosen. It is possible the Labour Bill may be held over till near tho end of the week. Although it is vain to prophesy about its provisions, I understand on good authority that the present constitution of the Arbitration Court will not be altered so far as the i Judge is concerned. A good deal of pressure has been brought to bear from certain quarters to do away with a Supreme Court Judge as President of the Court, and to substitute for him someone in closer touch with industrial matters. There is some reason to believe, however, that ihe Government are of opinion that it is necessary to retain as President of the Court a man whose impartial and judicial mind is accustomed to weigh the evidence, often of an extremely complex nature, which is placed before that tribunal.