VALUE OF ARBITRATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15548, 4 March 1914, Page 10

VALUE OF ARBITRATION.

NEW JUDGE WELCOMED.

INDUSTRIAL HARMONY WANTED;

Wellington, Tuesday. The newly-appointed president of the Arbitration Court, Mr. * Justice Stringer, commenced his duties this morning, when he presided at the opening of the Arbitration Court sittings in Wellington. The occasion was marked by the attendance of a large number of membew of Wellington Bar and representatives of employers and labour unions. The Hon. A. L. Herdman, AttorneyGeneral, congratulated the president on attaining an honour to which his long services at the Bar, and as a worthy citizen of New Zealand, justly entitled him. His Honor, in reply, thanked Mr. Herdman and members- of she Wellington Bar most sincerely for their cordial welcome. He hoped his work in the future would show that their confidence was not entirely misplaced. He had a very deep sense of the responsibilities cast upon him as president of the 'Arbitration Court.' He recognised that it would require the utmost tact and delicacy to hold the balance between the opposing interests of labour and capital. He thought that notwithstanding ! certain indications to the contrary, there I was a general trend of opinion among all .classes towards arbitration as the only rational method of settling industrial disputes, and he thought the Court was capable of doing good work if only parties would recognise its power' for good in : making awards. However, the Court ! would have to pay due regard to the laws of economics, as to make awards which defied those laws would only bring disaster upon those concerned. Sir Joshua .Williams had said, upon a recent occasion, that he regarded the Arbitration Court as a powerful instrument for the amelioration of the conditions of workers and for the prevention of oppression. He had to be very careful, however, that in ; whatever he did he did not bring disaster upon the industry concerned, and cause disaster all round. He hoped to be able to give workers the fullest benefits under the Act, consistent with the uninterrupted progress and prosperity of the industries concerned, He hoped that with the aid of his experienced colleagues, he would be able to attain that object. He hoped an that way to substantially ' and materially ; promote industrial peace and welfare. His utmost efforts would be directed, to bring about, the consummation so much to be desired.