THE ARBITRATION COURT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22501, 8 September 1938, Page 12

THE ARBITRATION COURT

CHANGES IN FUNCTION PROPOSED POWERS OF INDUSTRIAL ‘ MAGISTRATES [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 7. Suggestions that industrial magistrates may undertake all the amotions of the Arbitration Court, including the making of awards, while the Court itself will function mainly as a Court of Appeal in industrial cases, are made by the Minister for Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong), in a statement published in this week’s issue of the Labour paper, the “Standard.” Mr Armstrong said that it was anticipated that the second Court of Arbitration, which was set up last year, would cease to exist when its term expired in November. However, its term could be extended by Order-in-Council if the necessity arose. In the meantime the Government had appointed Mr J. A. Gilmour, registrar of the first Court of Arbitration, to act as an industrial magistrate under amending legislation which was passed last year, and it was possible that another industrial magistrate might also be appointed. In that case it was a question of how long the services of the second Court would be necessary. The Minister said that full provision was made in last year’s legislation for appeal to the Arbitration Court against any decision of an industrial magistrate, and in any such case the Court would have power to deal with the matter in all respects as if it had nt in the first place delegated its authority. ~ x , . . . Mr Gilmour would take up his duties as an industrial magistrate in Auckland almost immediately, the Minister added. He would be succeeded as registrar of the first Court by Mr H. D Lumsden, of the head office of the Department of Labour. , A The Minister said to-day that whatever decision was made concerning the second Court it would not affect the position of Mr Justice Hunter, who was 1 permanently appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court. Mmy avenues of employment could be found for him in his judicial capacity. The Minister added that in the event of the second Court being disposed ->f it was possible that Mr H. F. Butland. registrar of the second Court, would be permanently appointed registrar of the Arbitration Court.