ARBITRATION COURT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 124, 21 November 1931, Page 14

ARBITRATION COURT

NOT TO BE ABOLISHED

MINISTER'S STATEMENT

(By Telegraph.—Preste Association.) ■ INVEECARGILL, This Day. Tlio Government's intentions with regard to Hie Arbitratio: Court were referred to by the Hon. A. Hamilton, Minister of Labour, in a speech at Otiiutau last night.

He had noticed, he said, that many unfair statements were being made by opponents of the Coalitior Government on this subject. It was stated by opponents that because arbitration was essential in 1894, it was sacred and the system should not be amended. Opponents were stating that the Government was determined to abolish the Court. As Minister of Labour he gave this an emphatic denial. He himself had never considered it advisable to abolish the Court, as workmen needed a certain measure of protection. Many people had indeed suggested the abolition of the Court, or suspension of all awards, but ho did not favour that course. Ho did, however, consider it advisable to amend the Act, giving more flexibility and removing some of the cast-iron regulations tha-t were hampering employment to-day. Indeed, many working men were asking for this amendment. But, it was not proposed to alter the Court, nor the system of awards. It was advisable to allow more freedom by way of mutual agreement.