ARBITRATION COURT.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14907, 4 March 1914, Page 6

ARBITRATION COURT.

•■ ♦ . ■' THE NEW PRESIDENT TAKES HIS SEAT. (press association telkgram.) WELLINGTON. March 3. The newly-appointed President of the Arbitration Court (ivir Justice Stringer) commenced his duties at 10.30 this morning, when he presided at.the opening of the Arbitration Court sittings in Wellington. The occasion was marked by the attendance of a large number of members of the Wellington Bar, and representatives of employers' and labour j unions. The Hon. A. L. Herdnian, AttorneyGeneral, congratulated the President on attaining an honour to which his long service at the Bar and as a worthy citizen of New Zealand justly entitled His Honour, in reply, thanked Mr Herdman and the members of the Wellington Bar most sincerely for their very cordial welcome. Hβ hoped Ins work in the future would show that their confidence was not entirely misplaced. Ho had a very deep sense of the responsibilities cast upon him as President of the Arbitration Court. He recognised that it would require tlio utmost tact and delicacy to hold the balance between the opposing interests of labour and capital. He thought notwithstanding certain indications to the contrary, that there was a general trend of opinion among all classes towards arbitration as the only rational method of settling industrial disputes, and he thought the Court was capable of doing good work if only the part : «s would recognise its power for good. In making awards, however, the Court would have to pay due regard to the laws of economics, as to make awards which defied those laws would onlr bring disaster upon those concerned. Sir , Joshua Williams had said upon a recent occasion that he regarded the Arbitration Court as a powerful instrument for the amelioration of the conditions of the workers and for the prevention of oppression. He had to be very careful, howuv«r, that in whatever he did, he did not bring disaster upon the industry concerned, and cause disaster all round. He hoped to be «ib!o to srive the workers the fullest benefits under the Act. consistent with the uninteirunted progress and piosperity of the industries concerned. He hoped thnt, with the aid of his experienced oclleamies. hs would bp able to attain that object. He hor>ed in that wav to proi mn*A substantially and materially indus-t'-Jst' pc'acf .vid welfare. Hk ulrrost r-fforts would be to brinir about i ♦*■"*• consummation so much 10 be de- ! «ire>l.