MINING DISPUTE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11664, 31 October 1923, Page 7

MINING DISPUTE

HOW IT WAS BROUGHT ABOUT. OPINION O FI MINISTER FOR MINES. Per Press Association, CHRISTCHURCH. Gctobei 30. “I see a committee has been set yp in Westport to endeavour to devise means by which an amicable settlement might be effected,” said the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister for Mines, tonight regarding the mining troubb:. “I shall appreciate anything they can do to bring about a settlement of the trouble. The fact of the matter,” the Minister continued, “is that the dispute has boon brought about by a desire on the part of the extreme section of the miners to kill the Arbitration Court, and by the desire on the part of the employers to retain it. THE ONLY MEANS.

“My opinion, looking at the matter impartially ns chairman of the conference which eat at Reef ten and having hcaid nil the arguments for anu against the trouble is this, I am perfectly satisfied there is only on* means of adjudging the difficulties between employers and employees, and that ri tho means provided by tho lndustria\ Gnnciliation and Arbitration .Art it is quite possible that the difficulties in this case might be arranged if there ucro no Act. but it is just r.e iikelv that it would not be because whoever was chairman might have to decide on the points upon which neither parts would quite agree. In mv opinion there is no more competent man to act as chairman than the president of the Arbitration Court-. Mr Justice Frazer, whoso vast experience and knowledge of economics and) peculiar personal qualities make him an ideal man to adjudicate on industrial problems.”