INTENTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 240, 3 July 1908, Page 8

INTENTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT

y/ILL THE ACT BE REPEALED? Though certain qrctions: of the House are * undoubtedly' impressed with the attitude of the I'rimo. Minister, and tho Minister for Labour iu regard to tho Arbitration Act,--others who are more personally • interested in tho matter, and consequently are keener critics, feel that the vigorous utterances are in the nature of a threat to harden up the Houso,. particularly, tho country members, in order, to carry the new propasals. Mr. Millar's announcement that the House of Representatives would repeal tho Arbitration Act if it came dpwn to-morrow must bo regarded in "this light, and in any caso it is questioned if this alternative has any greater terror for the .worker than for tho employer. In any case, : it : is considered - obvious that Mr. Millar's- statement " that the members of tho House 9f Representatives would repeal tho Conciliation and Arbitration Act if it came down to-morrow" is ' too bald to be taken serireisly..: No such measure would bo repealed •" ir, it came down;" . without some other proposal to take ite place. Mr. Millar's proposed • amendments .are _ not yet known to: membergt-iufc from indications in

Ministerial* speechos, they will bo the same as last year, and labour is " up against" the proposal to allow employers to collect fines imposed, by the .Arbitration Court. Communications have a|ready been received by labour mombers' that' these proposals aro hotly opposed.. It is not expected that the Arbitration Bill will; bo introduced for tho .lioxt week or two. Asked .whether the Canal.dian. system of of- conciliation and anti-sweating-.,,1aw could not, with advantage, bo substituted 'for the present compulsory arbitration r system, a member .well acqaintod with the subject said that 0110 of the contributory causes of tho present discontent _was the practical abandonment of conciliation, or *at least its discouragement by the: Government, and .the frequent application of the. employers for direct reference of disputes to ,the-_ Arbitration Court. Compulsion in arbitration, as in other matters, engendered opposition.! V ,