ARBITRATION COURT

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28008, 30 June 1956, Page 10

ARBITRATION COURT

Procedure During Judge’s Absence UNION DISCUSSION WITH MINISTER (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. June 29. Discussions on the functions of the Court of Arbitration were held this morning between the Minister of Labour (Mr W. Sullivan) and representatives of the New Zealand Federation of Labour led by the president (Mr F. P. Walsh).

Mr Sullivan later said there had been discussions about the presiding Judge during the absence overseas of Mr Justice Tyndall.

He had emphasised that the Government could not interfere with the position of the Court’s additional Judge (Mr Justice Stilwell), who was appointed by law to act during any absence of the Judge. Because the Labour Federation representatives considered that many matters in dispute before the Court could reasonably be settled in conciliation, they had agreed the matters could probably be decided by referring them back to the Conciliation Commissioner, said Mr Sullivan.

“It is to be hoped that such a course will be followed, thereby enabling the usual conciliation and arbitration procedure to continue smoothly.” said the Minister.

The federation's spokesmen had emphasised the need for the Court to function in full force, said the Minister. They recognised that any weakening of the system of conciliation and arbitration would be very detrimental to the country and to the workers they represented. Tonight, Mr Sullivan announced that he had had discussions with Mr P. J. Luxford, secretary of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation. Although there were certain difficulties in referring disputes back to Conciliation Councils, Mr Luxford had assured him that he would examine the issues involved, said the Minister.