INDUSTRIAL LAWS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 3 February 1936, Page 10

INDUSTRIAL LAWS

THE ARBITRATION COURT DESIRE OF MINISTER One of tbe immediate major tasks to be tackled by the Government relates to amendments to the industrial laws, and the restoration of the powers of the Arbitration Court. Already a Bill is in the process of preparation, the main provision of which is to give back to the workers the right to approach the Court in the settlement of industrial disputes. The Minister of Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong), has made no secret of the fact that he is desirous of the Arbitration Court becoming a much improved tribunal, particularly in connection with compensation cases. Complaint has been made by counsel engaged in compensation cases of the delay in the business of the Court (which deals with industrial matters as well as compensation cases), and a matter engaging the attention of the Minister at present is the functioning of the Workers’ Compensation Law. Discussing the subject with a “Post” reporter on Saturday, Mr Armstrong referred to the fact that a Royal Commission in 1929 advocated the establishment of two divisions of the Arbitration Court—one to deal with industrial disputes and the other to give its time solely to compensation cases. The Minister added that that recommendation had been discussed recently, but he pointed out that it was also a matter for the Minister of Justice.

Mr Armstrong said that if the Arbitration Court were busih- engaged with industrial cases, following an amendment to the I. C. and A. Act, the position of the compensation work would have to be given consideration.