The Demands of Labour.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7847, 26 May 1904, Page 2

The Demands of Labour.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.] (Per Press Association.)

Sydney, May 25. The Chief Jua,tioe, delivering the Pull Court's decision in connection with an application for a prohibition restraining the Workmen's Union from prooeeding further nnder the decision of the Arbitration Court fixing the number of hands employed and hours worked, said beyond all question the Arbitration Aot was a farce in this" State; was in derogation of the common law; an encroachment on the liberty of the subject as regards persons and property ; interfered with liberty of action both of employer and employee; prevented one giving or the other obtaining employment except on ierms settled by the Court: and deprived an employer from conducting his own business. Tho Act was productive of a most alarming and deplorable amount of litigation, with the concomitant ill-feeling between employers and employees, who were foroed into hostile camps. He believed the object of passing the Act was to promote peaoe and goodwill, but feared it had not had that effect. At the same time he held the matter came within the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court. Mr Justice Owen Pring concurred. The prohibition was dismissed.