FLAXMILLERS AWARD.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 606, 8 September 1909, Page 10

FLAXMILLERS AWARD.

THE CONTRACT SYSTEM; ' ; ..:'.' Mr.■ W. Pryor, secretary of : the Employers' Federation, -who has been touring' 'in Tarariaki on official business, was interviewed by a representative of the Stratford "Post," '■-.. ;to whom ho explained the far-roaching and | important nature of Mr. Justice Sim's recent i interpretation of tho; Manawatu: flastnillors' , award. ■' ' V .'-.'■'■ .. ■■ 1 I.'ln'the first place, Mr. Pryor' considered; ;■..' lit would:meanvthb,.;salvatioii of.the flax-mill-l tag iridustry.^n/the'(Wellington district, ; bUt beyond that it would also nave far-reaching ; effects in any industry to; which the contract . system was applicable, inasmuoh as it clearly .. • ajßrmed the principle that the establishment of the relation of employer ■ and contractor, •instead of master arid servant, released the, parties thereto from the."provisions -of any award 1 . Therefore, in any industry to which the contract system can be applied, when a bona fide contract'establishing the relation of employer arid contractor has been entered into (i tho;'mattcr is thereby placed beyond " v - i the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Cpurt, \and tho parties 'to the'.'contract are not bound by'the provisions■ of any existing >■' award. The all-round importance -of. this. '".'. judgment-Vcan therefore easily be seen, and Mr. Prybry himself does not hesitate to de- '', scribe it as ono of if not the most important . interpretation over made in the, Arbitration ; Court.. ■,' • ■ ■''■ It was on the , advice., of;. 'Mr. Pryor that' the Manawatu Flaxmillers' Association'proceeded with its case.