LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12937, 17 October 1907, Page 7

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wednesday, October 16. Tho Council met «t 2.30 p.m. THE ARBITRATION ACT. Mr PAUL asked the Attorney-Gen-eral whether his attention had been drawn to an article published in tho "Evening Tost" from its Feilding correspondent, in which it was stated that the Arbitration Act bad caused a certain manufacturer to pay wages far.beyond tho value'of tho labour, thereby making it imjxxisible to continue manufacturing. Dr. FINDLAY replied that the Labour Department had made enquiries, but had failed to obtain any information whatever. Tho Government was led to believe that the caso must bo of - a >very trifling character. THE "BANK TO BANK , SYSTEM. The Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill (containing the principle of what is knowji as tho* "bank to bank' , clause) was committed. -Mj SINCLAIR said he had to oppose the Bill because it was an interference with the functions of one of our Courts of Justice. He did not intend to 'say one word against tho "bank to bank" clause, ns ho was a director of one of Hip largest coaJ companies in the country and therefore he felt that ho could not be an impartial critic. Ho hoped tlip Council would say "Wβ havo i appointed an Arbitration Court, and we cannot interfere with it." Mr PAUL said that Purliament was above any Court. If Mr Sinclair's contentions regarding interference with the Arbitration Court, or any other Court, were correct, then half tho legislation on the Statute Book should bo re pea let 1. A long debate ensued, in which Mr RigK took »in somewhat similar view to Mr Paul, and supported the Bill, as also did Messrs Jones, Ueehan, Trask, Bahley, while Messrs George, Scotland, Samuel, Luke. Macdouald, G. J. Smith, and Tucker opposed it in its present form. The debate was adjourned nnd tho Council roso at 4.45 p.m.