A NEW WAY OF STOPPING STRIKES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15055, 26 July 1912, Page 6

A NEW WAY OF STOPPING STRIKES.

As" we have seen in New Zealand over and over again compulsory arbitration in

trade disputes does not always stop strikes. It is,' of course, an offence punishable by heavy fine for men who are working under an award of the Arbitration Court, to- go on strike, but as the enforcement of the law in such cases has become a custom more honoured in the breach than the observance, it does not act as a deterrent. What seems an even better method of preventing strikes is the system by which both sides to an industrial agreement offer monetary guarantees that it shall be kept. Mr. John Day, the editor of the Shoe and Leather. Record; who deserves the credit for finding out the system, in the course of an interview, said :-~" Twenty years ago, when conciliation and arbitration < schemes were coming to nothing and agreeI meats were frequently broken, I kept on telling both sides that there would be no peace without a money guarantee. The lawyers generally said the suggestion was impracticable. But Sir- Thomas Wright, who was solicitor to the Employers' Federation, urged that body to accept it, and worked out details. After the great lockout of 1895. when both sides had suffered heavily, it Was realised that something must bo done, and the deposit scheme was thought 'to be the best method. The Employers' Federation Committee themselves found the £1000 for their deposit, and the union put up the same sum. Since then there has been no great strike or lockout. - The system has been this. No strike or lock-out can take place till disputes have been first referred to local boards of equal numbers of men's and masters' representatives, with one of their number appointed chairman. If the board fails to agree, there is still no cessation of work the matter is passed on to a. local umpire. If the umpire's award does not settle the' dispute, it is left to another authority to construe the agreements between masters and men on the points of controversy. That authority used to be Lord James of Hereford, who was appointed in 1895. and after his death, the present authority, Mr. Buckmaster, K.C.,. was chosen. If the operatives in a factory, as they sometimes have done, defy their union executive and come out on strike, that is an. 'unauthorised strike.' They get no pay from the union. If the union cannot get them back after the strike has lasted for three days—it used to be ten days, but it was found that rebellious spirits had got into a habit of striking for a week or so— if the union does not get them back after three days, then the Employers' Federation can take step? to show what damage the employer concerned has.suffered, and an award can be made to compensate him. This does not necessarily come out of the guarantee deposit. It can be paid by the union out of its funds. If it is not thus paid, then it can be taken out of the guarantee deposit—which is permanently held 'by trustees for the purpose. There have been awards of from £50 to £200. But the success of the method has been as a prevention, rather than as a punishment. The union finds it a good thing, because it keeps the men in work, and therefore contributing to their funds. The masters find it good because it enables them to carry on their business without the old worry of numerous quarrels." ..