UNIONS CONCERNED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 11 May 1939, Page 3

UNIONS CONCERNED

DELAYS IN ISSUING AWARDS .VPPOiVIMENT OF INTERIM JUDGE SUGGESTED I United Press AMoc.iat.ion} AUCKLAND, 10th May. Delays which have occurred in the adjudication of industrial disputes through tin illness of the President of the Court oi Arbitration, Mr Justice O'Regan, are stated to be causing concern among union* which have cases pending or which are awaiting decisions on award claims previously made In view of the possibility that Mr O'Regan will be unable to resume his duties for some mouths, the appointmeut of an interim judge has been suggested

A fair amount of industrial work has been held up at Auckland, though the Court was not expected to begin its sitting here till the end of May or in June. Auckland interests are, however, affected by several Dominion awards, which have been delayed, and it is stated that conciliation council agreement.* l , in a lumber of award claims, are unlikely till the Court has pronounced in recent labour-

Ebployers are said to be i-eluctant to agree to wage increases till these judgments are received The industrial magistrate. Mr J. A. Giitnour. is continuing his sitting throughout the Dominion, but his work is limited

to specific functions. A second Court of Arbitration under the piesidency of Mr Justice Hunter was operating till last November, when its term expired. It has been suggested that Mr Justice Huntei, who lias not been appointed to any new pest, might act for Mr Justice O Regan, but it is understood in industrial sections ii Auckland that there is legislative piovision that does not make it possible for him to sit with members of the first Court.

Commenting on delay in receiving a decision in the building labourers’ and quarry workers’ dispute, the secretary of the Auckland Builders’ and General Labourers’ Union, Mr T. Stanley, as id they were very disturbed over the position. The office was being bombarded with questions about the matter, and a protest had been lodged.