ARBITRATION ASSESSORS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 13, 16 January 1926, Page 8

ARBITRATION ASSESSORS.

■ " » I. I _■ TRADES. COUNCIL CIRCULAR. "A MISUNDEKSTANDING." (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. There has been considerable criticism of the New Zealand Federation of Trades and Labour Councils for allegedly sending a circular to all affiliated bodies, nominating Mr. A. L. Monteith, ex-M.P., of Wellington, as a candidate for the position of workers' assessor on the Arbitration Court, and Mr. F. Cornwall, for deputy-assessor. The error originated in reproducing the circular in print from the original, and shows that the federation simply recommended, and did not nominate. "We have no power *to nominate;" remarked Mr. P. E. Warner, general secretary of the Trades Council Federation. The: power of nomination rests with the unions registered under the Arbitration Act; but the federation, in order to secure unanimity if possible, circularised its affiliations Before Christmas, asking for suggestions as to suitable persons for recommendation. We received some replies and Eventually cent out a circular making a recommendation to all unions to support the candidates above-mentioned. We readily igree with our critics that we have no mandate to nominate, but we had a right to secure an expression of opinion and to give advicei."