COMPENSATION CASES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19972, 5 July 1930, Page 5

COMPENSATION CASES.

NUMBER ON THE INCREASE. [THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, July 4. Evidence that, the increase in the number of workers' compensation cases requiring attention by the Arbitration Court continues was afforded at the opening of the Auckland sittings of the Court. Thirty-four cases wero set down for hearing, and fixtures were arranged, for 25, the remaining nine being either settled or in process of settlement. When fixtures were being arranged, Mr Justice-Frazer found it necessary to discourage the tendency of counsel to apply for fixtures late in the session, and he insisted that every day should be occupied. Ho said :it was impossible for. the Court to cope with the increasing volume of work unless this were done.

A fixture for an urgent case at Gisborne was applied for, and his Hqnour said it was impossible at the present time to fix a date for sitting at that town. However, as there were industrial matters requiring settlement there, the Court would : avail itself :-of the first opportunity after the. next Wellington sitting to visit the Gisborne district. Referring to this case, in particular, his Honour said: "We are no neareT reaching Gisborne than we were six months ago." Although it is onlv five months since the Court sat in Auckland, it is probable that the number of compensation cases for which dates for hearing are required constitute a record. Under the Act, the Court is required to sit once a quarter in each of the principal cen tres, but during the past few year? it has been found impossible to comply with this requirement.