FARM LABOURERS' DISPUTE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 221, 11 June 1908, Page 7

FARM LABOURERS' DISPUTE.

MR. JUSTICE SIMS WARNS THE BOARD. ' : [by telegraph.—i-eess association.] • Creymouth, Juno 10. This morning Mr. Justice Sims causcd the following telegram to be sent to Mr.' W. Minson, chairman of the Conciliation Board at Christchuroh, : "Tho Arbitration Court understands from what has been published in the newspapVrs, that tho Canterbury Conciliation Boardiproposes not to mako any report with regard to the farm labourers' dispute. I am now directed' by ,the court'to draw tho attention of members of tho board to the terms of the. order under which the dispute was referred to tho board for report, and to say that members of tho board will bo guilty of a grave breach of duty 'if they do not report to tho court, as directed by that order. The court desires the board to make report in terms of the order, so that tho case may bo dealt with at the sitting of tho court to be hold in Christchurch this month; The board is entitled to, and indeed bound to,' report without any extension of tho term of offico of tho members thereof.—B. M. Wilson, Registrar." . ' '

A PECULIAR POSITION., (BY TELEQRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ' Christchuroh, June 10. Mr. W. Minson, Chairman of the Canterbury Conciliation Board, when seen by a representative of the "Press" regarding tho matter contained in tho telegram from the Arbitration Court relative to tho farm labourers' dispute report, and asked if he would say anything regarding ■ it, said that he did not see that he could say anything on tho Subject. Asked if it was his intention to call tho Board together to consider the position, Mr. Minson said that he could not say whether or not ho would do so. The present position of tho Board is somewhat peculiar. It is contended that the Board to which the case was referred by the Arbitration Court, and which heard tho evidence in it, no longer exists, its term having expired on the 81st of last month, when the extension of tirao granted ran out. It could only have continued in existence if its term of office had been further extended, but the Board did not see fit to apply for a further of time. Another alleged complication is that the members of tho now Board (which consists of the members of tho old Board) have not yet been sworn in, although they have been gazetted. It is understood, however, that the now Board will bo sworn in before the end of tho present week. As there is a lengthy list to be dealt with by the Court at its sittings in this city, commencing next week, it is contended that it would Do quite possible for tho Board, if it sets to work, to pre- j pare its report before the j other cases set down are disposed of.