TRADES AND LABOUR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4345, 1 May 1901, Page 7

TRADES AND LABOUR.

CONCILIATION BOARDS AND THEIR CASES. THE BOOTM-n ...IS’ DISPUTE. PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, April 30. In a discussion as to tho use of the Conciliation Boards in the Arbitration Court to-day, Mr Justice Cooper said he would bo sorry to sen them abolished, a', they were the moans c? bringing men ’• •’ < •»,<i!c,ver<; tope’her, and carrying out what was the primary object of lie; ~ , . m i cry .-ettlomont of trade dm-to/li" 1 . without tho intervention or compulsion of tho Arbitration Court. It was (ho Court’s desire to do as little as possible to disorganise the conditions of trade in the colony. So far as ho (Mr Justice Cooper) know, the Boards had dene their work faithfully and well. . Mr J. A. Frostick, President of the Employers’ Association, considered that Conciliation Boards should consist of cx ports, presided over u-y a person with legal training. The reasons for tho Beard’s recommendations could then lie forwarded to the Arbitration Court im der sen!. Air G. A. Coles, an Auckland employer, agreed with this view. Mr Woods, the union representative, oh jetted to experts as being more or less interested. The union#, were satisfied with the present constitution of tho Conciliation Board. When the Arbitration ‘ Court rcsiim ed this morning, Mr Frostick stated that the employers had made good pro gress in regard to the points which it laid considered privately the previous day. Ho handed in a statement which he said would cover the whole of the matters, tho Court would now bo called on to deal with.

Air Justice Cooper decided to adjourn tho Court till next morning, in order to give employers and workers further time to consider points still in dispute. Tlio union delegate asked his Honor if he would meet tho parties private!v and assist thorn to frame rules? Ilis Honor replied that ho would ho very glad to do so. The main points at issiro now are tlio hours to bo worked per week and the minimum weekly wage. His Honor said if tho parties come to a mu ttial agreement without tho intervention of the Court, except on some, vital point, it would ho much more satisfactory than by moans of an award.