WITHOUT A PRESIDENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22823, 2 September 1937, Page 10

WITHOUT A PRESIDENT

THE ARBITRATION COURT UNUSUAL LEGAL POSITION DEATH OF MR. JUSTICE PAGE [BY TEIjEGKAPH—SPECIAL BEJPOHTKUI WELLINGTON, Wednesday An unusual leß.il position has arisen following on the death yesterday of Mr. Justice Tage. Although Mr. Justice O'Regnn has been acting as president of the Arbitration Court for some time now, the terms of his appointment were such that, under a strict reading of the law, the Court at present is without a presiding Judge. When the appointment of Mr. Justice O'Rcgan was announced, it was stated that he would act as deput\ for Mr. Justice Page as president of the Courti of Arbitration during the latter's leave of absence. However, with the death of Mr. Justice Pago, the leave of absence automatically expires, and the same applies to the temporary position held by Mr. Justice O'Rcgan. The position at present is that legally there is no president of the Court. The matter was referred to-day to the Minister of Justine, the Hon. H. 6. R. Mason. However, Mr. Masos would not discuss the position, beyond saying that he was in communication with the acting-Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, and that a-statement would be made in due course.