Arbitration System ‘Blow Against T.U.s’

Northern Advocate, 6 August 1949, Page 8

Arbitration System ‘Blow Against T.U.s’

WELLINGTON, Sat. (P.A.).—Frank criticism of the functions and effect of the Court of Arbitration were expressed in the Legislative Council by two members who have been prominent for many years in industrial proceedings, one as an employers’ representative and the other as a workers’ representative.

They were the Hon. T. O. Bishop (Wellington) and the Hon. J. Roberts (Wellington). Another well-known industrial advovate, the Hon. T. Blood worth (Auckland) described the court system as “the first blow against genuine trade unionism in this country.” The members were discussing the Industrial Relations Bill and all agreed it was a commendable measure. “I have come to the conclusion that the Court of Arbitration system tends to hold employers and workers apart rather than bring them together,” said Mr Bishop. Assessors for both sides in conciliation council had no incentive to negotiate because they knew that if they failed "the court would fix it.” Where the system succeeded was where the men knew that a negotiated agreement was very much better than securing an award from the court. “HAS (NEVER HELPED.” “The Court of Arbitration has never, in my opinion, helped industrial relations,” said Mr Roberts. “Very often it has had the opposite effect.” It had an effect in the questions of wages and conditions—incidentally giving the worst worker the same pay as the best worker—and in protection from unfair competition, but the time had come for settling disputes other than by way of the court. Mr Bloodworth ' said that, although he had been a successful advocate for the workers of the building industry before the Arbitration Court for many years, he had never liked it. “Tim court has done some good things',"but it robbed the workers of the most valuable thing they had—the right to negotiate for the industry," he said. “The system of industrial arbitration was the first blow to genuine trade unionism in this country, and the second blow was compulsory unionism.” DOING BETTER JOB. The Hon. T. F. Doyle (Bluff) said the Arbitration Court was the best organisation in New Zealand for settling industrial disputes. He was disappointed that those who had spoken against it did not offer some alternative to show how things could be improved* The Hon. J. Cumming (Wellington) said the Arbitration Court was one of the finest things for unionism in this country. It was doing a better job today than ever.