THE MINISTER FOR LABOUR. HIS CONFIDENCE IN THE ARBI TRATION COURT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 42, 19 February 1908, Page 2

THE MINISTER FOR LABOUR. HIS CONFIDENCE IN THE ARBI TRATION COURT.

OUR MARITIME LAWS. {BT TELEGRAPH. — rBBSS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, 18th February. Tho Hon. J. A. 'Millar, Minister for Marine and Labour, arrived at Lyttelton by the ferry steamer 'Maori this morning, and left for Dunedin by the first express. Interviewed by a reporter, the Minister stated that his visit to Dunedin was in connection with departmental business, and he does not intend to givo a political address oh this occasion. He hopes, to visit -Port Molyneaux in order to make- certain inquiries in regard to the fishermen's harbour there. His visit to Invercargill will have to be postponed, as he has to be back in Wellington on the 27th inst. Mr. Millar stated that tho officers of his department had no information regarding the proposed establishment of an employers' labour bureau. Tho proposal, he said, was supposed to havo emanated from the Licensed Victuallers' Association, but an official denial of that had been given. So far as ha knew, the matter had not been taken up by other employers. "My visit to Dunedin has nothing to do with the wharf lalwurers' dispute," Mr. Millar said, in answer to a question; "there is nothing to be done. The whole thing is in statu quo, and an appeal -has been mad© to tho Arbitration. Court. iMy confidence- in the Arbitration Court," he continued, "has not been shaken by recent events, and I don't think there is a disposition among the great body of workers to get freo of it. The men informed us that they ha.d now the advantage of the Act, and have no desire to sco it repealed. Tha feeling on the West Coast amon? the j miners was most decidedly in favour of the Arbitration Act. The men informed us that they had not the slightest intention of striking ; they had been legally advised that the 'Coal Mines Act overrode tho Arbitration Act award, and according to that advice- they acted, but they openly stated that they had no desire to flout' the Arbitration Court. On tho contrary, they expressed a desire to see it maintained. Of course, in every place where a large number of men congregate you find a few dissatisfied individuals whom nothing at all will satisfy short of the State controlling and working everything." "Will the Arbitration Bill bo reintroduced next session?" the. reporter asked. ,"1 can't say what will ba done next "session," the 'Minister replied, "as we have not yet discussed tho %york for the session I may say, however, that I will introduce a Shipping and Seamen's Act Amendment Bill, which will bring our law into line with tho recommendations of the 'Maritime Conference. lam not accepting the whole of the recommondations, but only such as can be applied to the conditions of shipping in New Zealand." '