ARBITRATION COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1929, Page 5

ARBITRATION COURT

COSTLY PROCEDURE. (By Telegraph—Press Association). DUNEDIN, October 4. . Objection to the present method of citing parties to Harvest Hands and Chaflutters’ Award, was taken by Mr Herbert, Union representative, during the hearing of the Arbitration Court. Mr Herbert said the citation of ten thousand employers individually was an enormous - cost to the union and also the Government. When approached the Premier referred them to the Secretary of Labour, who suggested fhe Court.might recommend a new method.. The Union thought the lists might'be printed with citations and deposited in. post offices, also advertised in respective districts. The present postage and registration stations cost £SOO and cost of envelopes and labour £looo. •Judge Fraser said it was a question of law, every one to get a personal citation. He didn’t think the Court could do anything. • E. Cookston, employers representative, stated the new method would be opposed by every employers oiganisation in the Dominion.

The Judge thought such a drastic amendment must be discussed by the parties. Its result would be that each employer wouldn’t have a copy of the claims.

.Mr Cookson said there was a suggestion that threshing mill owners would he cited instead of farmers, which would limit numbers. He undertook to obtain the views of the Farmers’ Union.