THE ARBITRATION ACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13480, 3 July 1907, Page 7

THE ARBITRATION ACT.

• ITS REPEAL SUGGESTED. I'BT TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Tuesday. Mr. Hogg has presented a petition, largely signed by various people and firms engaged in local industries in Masterton, respectfullyasking Parliament to repeal the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The petitioners state that labour agents living in the cities constantly stir up strife in the country districts, and make demands upon country industries, which, if acceded to, would ruin them. These demands, it is pointed out, are vexatious, and have.a direct tendency to restrict and injure trade. It is also stated that these demands do not emanate from the country workers, but come direct from the cities. The. Act, the petitioners assert, as now constituted, is manifestly injurious to country interests, and they therefore seek relief from its operations and effects. They therefore ask Parliament; to take the necessary steps to have the Act! repealed, or so amended that, in the country districts it shall be made permissive, the en- < forcement or repeal of its provisions beingdependent upon a vote of the tradespeople and workers concerned.