INDUSTRIAL LAWS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 149, 21 December 1936, Page 14

INDUSTRIAL LAWS

WORK OF COURT

"It seems to me that quite a fair percentage of the cases referred to the Arbitration Court for decision comprises minor issues which could be easily settled outside the court," said the Minister of Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) on Saturday, referring to complaints about delay in the settlement of demands for new industrial conditions. "There would be less cause for complaint if the Court's time was taken up by the major issues, such as wages and hours of work.

"I am not anticipating any necessity for setting up a second Arbitration Court to deal with the extra demands arising out of the new industrial legislation. It may be necessary to establish a separate tribunal for dealing with industrial compensation cases, thus relieving the pressure on the Arbitration Court. There is no authority under the existing law to establish an additional Arbitration Court, even if it was agreed that it was practicable to have two such courts functioning at the same time. It is possible, however, to set up a separate court to deal with claims arising from industrial accidents.

"The Arbitration Court has had to deal with a heavy programme during the past three or four months," said Mr. Armstrong, "and no one could say fairly that it has wasted any time on its exceptionally hard work. First of all, the Court had to devote time and much attention to the question of the 40-hour week. This was followed, by the need of giving consideration to the, matter of fixing the basic wage. On each of those questions much evidence had to be heard. Then there has been the multiplicity of new unions as a result'of recent legislation, and all calling .upon the Court at the same time. • ■. ■ ,

"All these circumstances have combined to: put the Arbitration Court behind with its work, and it still has a heavy programme ahead. However,' I intend to go into the matter immediately after the holidays and see if there are in the existing law some means whereby any ' relief can be given to the Court; in dealing with the numer"ius demands upon it."