THE CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION ACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11540, 27 November 1900, Page 7

THE CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION ACT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The cable report of Mr. F. G. Ewington's communications to Dr. MacLaurin, M.L.C., of New South Wales, which appeared in your issue last Saturday, leads me to doubt the correctness of the saying of one of our poets, which I have long believed, "That there is truth in things false," a saying which many regard as an axiom, who have read " The Sorrows of Satan." In reading Mr. Ewington's statements refrardinij the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, I am forced to the conclusion that there is not " the ghost of a shade of a shadow" of truth in them. The amendments of the Act have been to extend its " sphere of influence," and to make more effective the recommendations of the Boards and the decisions of the Court. Mr. Ewington's statement that it had been used as " an instrument of political patronage to labour" is absolutely and utterly false, without an iota of foundation in fact, for every person connected with labour who attained any position of emolument or honour under the Act was elected by his fellow workers. The concluding statement of Mr. Ewington, " that defeated Parliamentary candidates were consoled with seats on the Conciliation Boards," can refer only to myself. It is well known that I was defeated by Ministerial wirepullers, on account of the fear that I would insist upon reopening the investigation into Ministerial ; transactions - in native lands, which I regarded as improper. I believed I was appointed on account of my experience in commcrce and industrial pursuits. I accepted a position on the Board at considerable pecuniary loss, as I was anxious that the administration of the Act should bo beneficial to all the interests concerned. I think my most bitter enemy would not regard 10s 6d per day when sitting (the rate when appointed) as intended in any sense to console for treachery and deceit. Is it too severe to say that the position Mr. Ewington has taken up regarding the Conciliation and Arbitration Act since it came into force, has been evil, and "only evil," and that "continually?"—l am etc.,/ J. M. Shktia. Ex-member of the Conciliation Board appointed to represent the Employers.