LABOUR DISPUTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9998, 15 June 1918, Page 7

LABOUR DISPUTES

WHITLY COMMITTEE'S REPORT COMPULSORY ARBITRATION CONDEMNED. 8y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrl!>&i Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Juno 14, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 13. A further report by the "Whitley Committee in regard to the labour disputes has been made. It is definitely against compulsory arbitration, on the ground that neither employers nor employed desire it. It has not proved a successful method for avoiding strikes ia war time, and is less likely to be successful during peace. The committee is against the scheme of conciliation which would compulsorily suspend a strike or lock-out ponding inquiry. The committee advocates the present machinery of voluntary conciliation, and the setting-up of joint industrial councils, but consider there should be some means of holding an independent inquiry into the circumstances in dispute, and enabling an authoritative pronouncement to bo made on the merits of a case. The committee also advocates the setting-up of a standing Arbitration Council, to which disputants may voluntarily refer their disputes. Arbitrators might settle less important cases locally. The Right Hon. John Henry "Whitley is Liberal member for Halifax. He ia chairman of "Ways and Means, and has" been Deputy-Speaker of the House of Commons since 1911. On his motion the . House of Commons appointed a committee, of which he is chairman, to consider the question of setting up as a part of the British industrial system Joint Standing Industrial Councils lor the prevention of trade disputes. A previous report of the committee was adopted by the War Cabinet on Octobef' p lßth, 1916.