EMERGENCY DISPUTES BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 24296, 10 September 1942, Page 4

EMERGENCY DISPUTES BOARD

FINAL AND BINDING POWER . ACCORDED IHTERVENTiON FOR MAINTENANCE OF PRODUCTION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 9. The appointment of a national emergency disputes board was announced to-night by the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb. The members are Mr A. T. Donnelly (chairman), Christchurch; Mr T. 0. Bishop, Wellington, and Mr C. V. Smith, Dunedin, representing the employers; and Mr Eddy, M.L.C., Wellington, and Mr F, P. Walsh, Wellington, representing the workers. The board is constituted under the Industrial Disputes Emergency Regulations which are being gazetted this week. Members of the board will hold office during the pleasure of the Minister and the chairman has both a deliberative and a casting vote. Where a dispute arises which in the board’s opinion is likely to interfere with, or has interfered with, the production of supplies or the maintenance of services essential to the life of the community or the effective conduct of any industry or undertaking, the board may conduct a full inquiry and give the decision it considers fair and equitable. The regulations also provide that if provision is made in an award or agreement for the setting up of a disputes committee and such committee fails to act in connection with any dispute, the board may require it to endeavour to negotiate a settlement, failing which tho board shall determine the matter. The board’s decision shall be final and binding, and the board may give such directions as are reasonable and necessary for the carrying out of its decision. Any person who fails to comply with the board’s decision or direction commits an offence. If any decision given by the board conflicts with any award or interpretation or any agreement the board’s decision prevails. The provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908, will apply to inquiries held by the board!. There are brought within the scope of the regulations certain offences by workers and also by employers against the effective conduct of industry, production. and essential services, and provision is made for penalties.