ARBITRATION.

Grey River Argus, 16 May 1922, Page 3

ARBITRATION.

Sir, — Having been early interested in the above heading, and seeing there is so nine lisaid and xvritten about it of late, my interest is my principal reason for xvriting you at present. Before ever arbitration became laxv, xve xvere told by the late Richard John Seddon that it xvas to be a Court of Equitx’, and to be clear of all the legal jirofession, and to be. a real good thing for the xvorking class. And xvliat is more, it xvas to be a real haven for the xvorkers. Oh, what a beautiful haven it is for the workers to-day! The great Otto Bislioji is one of its chief mouthpieces! Hoxvever, the workers are not altogether blameless for the present state- of affairs. Had the miners of Blackball stuck to the court at the time they seceded from it, on account of Judge Sim’s unfair ruling, and advocated ami agitated until they had him shifted, things arbitration:!lly xvould be very much different to-day, and Judge Fraser xvould not- be in the position to lower their xvages indiscriminately! Aly contention at the time xve seceded from the Court xvas to do axvay xvith all Supreme Court .judges, ami to get good practical me to take their j>la<-*s. This xvas my contention then, and is my contention now! It is no xvonder our mu- ’nestcemed friend and late represent -i . Mr McCullough, cleared out an l>‘it it. Until something of the kind 1 i indicated is done, the workers r never expect to get anything like fan play. The miners in the early days of the West Coast had the making of all their oxvn mining laxvs and they have jiroved to suit admirably, thus leaving a very good examjde for those xvho came after to follow. In looking hack over the work of the Arbitration Court since its inception, xve can only say that as far as the workers are. concerned, it’s a rank duffer! — I am, etc., JI Al MUIR. Ross.