INDUSTRIAL LAW

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 58, 9 March 1944, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL LAW

FIFTY YEARS AGO

ARBITRATION ACT BORN

A glimpse at the beginning of his lifelong association with the industrial legislation of New Zealand was afforded by Mr. Justice O'Regan, Compensation Court judge, in the course of a racy series of Parliamentary reminiscences related to members of the Catholic Men's Club luncheon to-day.

"It was 50 years on November 28 last since I had the honour of being elected to Parliament," said his Honor, "my constituencies being Inangahua (long since merged in Westland) and Buller. I had the distinction at that time of being the youngest member, being under 25 years of age."

His Honor went on to relate that it was during the session of 1894 that the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act became law, fathered by the late Hon. W. Pember Reeves, member for Christchurch City and Minister of Labour and Education in the Seddon Government. The bill had been already introduced in the sessions of 1892 and 1893, and had passed the popular chamber, but it had been amended by the Legislative Council in a manner which the Minister could not accept. Conciliation and compulsory arbitration were the features of the measure.

"I could say a great deal about the measure, but will dismiss it by recalling the fact that when it was first introduced the Chief Justice, Sir James Prendergast, wrote to the Government objecting, saying that the judges already had sufficient work without being loaded with the novel provisions proposed in the bill.

"There are still three men aliva who were members of the House when the bill passed in 1894. They are Colonel G. J. Smith, of Christchurch, Mr. W. H. Montgomer3 r , of Little River, Canterbury, and your humble servant. Of the three I am the youngest, though I have passed the 75th milestone.

"I could say a great deal more about the measure not less interesting than these few facts, but I propose postponing further comment until I am out of cold storage." His Honor proceeded to deal with other Parliamentary measures and personalities at the end of last century.