The Dominion. THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1908. INDUSTRIAL ARBITRATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 144, 12 March 1908, Page 6

The Dominion. THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1908. INDUSTRIAL ARBITRATION.

The breakdown of tlie. Industrial Arbitration Act, and the disturbance of industry arising out of tlie coal strikes in New South "Wales have necessitated the introduction of fresh legislation there to deal with industrial disputes. Some days ago, in a speech at Newcastle, .the Premier, Mr. Wade, referred to the Government's intentions in the matter, and gave some particulars of , the, Bill which he intends to introduce in the current special session of Parliament. He did not make it quite clear whether he intends to follow the example, of Victoria by establishing a system*' of Wages Boards, or that of Canada, which we disoussed the other day. Nor ; did he explain what will be made for the enforcement of industrial awards. These points are still left in doubt by the statement which he has made in ; the Assembly, and which is reported in our cable news to-day. At Newcastle lie said that the duty of the Government is " to see that the necessary machinery is provided for. continuity of work in every trade and industry." The chief defects of the existing system, which he declared to have proved ineffective, were two in number. The Court, being called upon to deal with technical matters, was unable- " to grasp thoroughly all the abstruse details of a business in a few days, and give satisfaction to all concerned." The second weakness of the system was the fact that " in the hour of need, when the Court's services were most wanted during some industrial broil, it was found that its hands were tied. The Court was engaged elsewhere, find those \rlio wanted its help were put off is definitely." Accordingly

he proposed, to secure that the tribunals entrusted with the settlement of disputes should be composed of men engaged in tlio subjoct industry. He would aim at the elimination of formalities and the lawyer element. As Mri M'Gowen has threatened the Government with the opposition of Labour if Wages Boards are to take the place of the existing Act, the task of the Government will be no easy one. Mr. .Wade recognises that, and he is obviously disinclined to go the full New Zealand length of compulsion. At Newcastle he appealed for the support of t]ie public, and he appeared to rely upon the force of public opinion for the ultimate vindication of justice. Upon the delivery of judgment by a tribunal,, the force of public opinion will be able to play a prominent part. " In the past/' he went on, " we suffered from the fact that the public did not know of the rights or wrongs of the case, When you have all these questions thrashed out in open daylight by a tribunal such as that proposed, the public at large will be guided by the evidence brought out, and the; great part of tne community will insist on both sides agreeing to stand • by,-, the result." From these statements it would appear that Mr. Wade does not favour a permanent and unescapable compulsion, nor is this interpretation: of his intentions' inconsistent with his statement, cabled tp-day, that " no side will be allowed to dis-locate-industrial life by lock-out or strike, for when it reached a stage at which it" could adjust grievances, the law would compel the two sides to come together, and the troubles be. adjusted by the proper tribunal." If Mr.'Wade is wise, he will aim at the minimum .of State interference, and not at the maximum. He has before his eyes the New Zealand lesson that fourteen years' experience'of industrial arbitration has utterly failed to. implant a spirit of justice, of con-' ciliatiori,'or even of respect for law, in the hearts of a large section of Trades Mr. Wade cannot hope for a better spirit in the. hearts of workers who'have never really been at rest from agitation and war: In the final event —although for years it has' been denied in New Zealand—no measure of State compulsion can, of itself, secure the maintenance of industrial' peace. That ; is, of course, no reason why a Government should give' up before it has exhausted every legitimate -legislative attempt to: prevent strikes and We say'-it with reluctance, but we can draw no other conclusion from, the' experience -of New Zealand and'of. New South Wales than this: tliat the insuperable obstacle to successful industrial legislation is the unwillingness of- Labour to .abide patiently- by the judgments of the tribunals appointed. to>settle differences if it sees any, prospect of gaining'an advantage by . flouting . them. Unfortunately the Government has encouraged Labour to give- its warlike instincts full rein. Employers who have broken the law have been forced to pay the' penalty—and. rightly so. Labour has, on notable occasions, escaped. Instead , of.'discouraging rebellion and •standing oil, guard> over the principles of justice,' the Government 'has truckled to the Trades Unions. Neither New South Wales nor .New Zealand will ever experience industrial peace until, both sides; employers and employees, meet each' other in a candid spirit, and with an honest intention >of. composing their differences and holding to v their bond.' : :