LABOUR DISPUTES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 589, 18 August 1909, Page 2

LABOUR DISPUTES.

VALUE OF EXPERTS. ARBITRATION OR CONCILIATION P 'Tho rolntivo merits of thrco methods of settling.industrial disputes—reference to the Arbitration' Court, 'investigation' by a Conciliation Council, and informal conference of the parties—received some attention at' the Waterside Workers' Conference yceteiv. day. The way in which tho matter was introduced involved a high, though indirect, compliment to Mr. W. I'ryor, secretary of the New Zealand Employers' Federation.' ■Mr. D. Agnew. moved the follpwing Wanganui remit:— ; . .That tho Now Zealand Waterside Workers' Federation communicate with all federations and unions of workcre in New Zealand for the purpose of appointing a representative to represent, tho . workers in the same capacity as the Employers' Association have'their represen- ' tative to represent the employers. Such • representative to advise and appear on behalf of the workers in arbitration and all other matters as required. The mover explained that when the Wangauui agreement was under discussion they had been much impressed with the wide knowledge of awards and of industrial law dispvvou by tho employers' representative, and thdy .thought the workers should try to' get as good a man. Mr.' M'Cami (Wellington) spoke' to similar offect, seconding tho motion, which was also supported by other members. Air. J. Jackson (Greymouth) pointed out that the tendency now was towards conciliation rather than,the Arbitration Court, and his experience was that the former was far more successful. The Court was only resorted to if a deadlock occurred,'but the question had then been thoroughly threshed out by the Conciliation Council. A delegato:; The- Arbitration Court's; a tarcc. ■ ■ .. ■ '■ .'..•' Mr. Jackson,, continuing, admitted ,that ,new unions often required expert advice, and suggested that' if the recommendation were agreed to; the officer appointed should undertake organising duties throughout the Dominion, as well as appearing' before tho Court. Ho supported the motion. Mr. J. Bruton (Wellington) supported the motion. Ho emphasised the need for organisation at ports liko New Plymouth, Oamaiu, and Bluff. ' ;,• ■■--•!• Mr. F. Lurch (Lyttelton) said ho would support the resolution if it wore altered to provide for the'appointment of an orgaiiis-.-. ing secretary instead of a Court representative. ■ Mr. D. M'Lnrcn .(Wellington) said ho was sure that Hie more tho unions handled their business themselves, and the less they took it before tho Arbitration Court, however the Court might bo constituted, the better- it would-be for them. Again and again they had had matters fixed up in legal terminology, which, when tested by practice, was found not to give them what they antici-, pated. The Wanganuj Union had obtained an-agreement which was in advance'of any other in tho country in some respects, lut. ho understood that it was not being ..fully complied with, and lie thought proper to draw;' tho attention.of tho Wangamii delegates to the matter. . : ■ _ . . • "."■•. The motion was carried. ~_■