Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, JUNE 29th., 1912.

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 June 1912, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, JUNE 29th., 1912.

THE ARBITRATION SYSTEM. Lv its allusions to the Arbitration Act, the Governor’s Speech was distinctly disappointing. Beyond the bold statement that amendments to the measure would be introduced, we have nothing to indicate , the policy which the Government intend to adopt in regard to the most vital problem which confronts the Dominion at the present time. That the Ministry is not, however, prepared to jettison the Act entirely is apparent from the assertion that the system has “in the past secured important and valuable results, and it is hoped that the future will witness a continuance of its benefits.” In that fervent wish, all New Zealanders, who cannot fail to be impressed with the deleterious influence the present strife and unrest are having upon the trade and commerce of the Dominion, will heartily join, but we are hardly likely to witness the achievement of that muchdesired end unless the Government 'tself is prepared to act fearlessly and with determination. On Tuesday last, we advocated an amendment of the law in the direction of compulsorily applying the principles of the Act to all trades and industries in this country. Snch a request might ap]>ear obnoxious to some extremists whose most conspicuous trait is their ability to employ destructive criticism, and whose most deplorable weakness is their absolute failure to present a constructive policy, but to the impartial observer it will be regarded as the proper course to pursue. The system, even allowing for some amendments which experience has proved to be desirable, is a good one. Under it, the Dominino for years enjoyed industrial peace and unwonted progress and prosperity, and it is only in the past five years, during which there has been an increasing disposition on the part of the workers to secede from the j jurisdiction of the Court, that the; development and trade of our country lias been checked. As the acuteness of the strike malady has progressed, so has the condition of the country, both financially and industrially, become I correspondingly disturbed and depres- 1 sed. This is not as it should be. j No disputes have yet arisen which could not be more advantageously settled by the .peaceful system of arbitration than by resort to the brutal strike, or lockout, which inflicts much hardship on thousands of people who are in no way concerned in the trouble. Jl tlie reference of disputes to the Conciliation Councils or Arbitration Court were rendered compulsory Jiuic.i unnecessary lia.rdshin would bo obviated, while the country would not be liable to frequent disturbances such as have marked the last few years. We sincerely trust that when the amending legislation is brought down it will be found to go in the direction indicated.