INDUSTRIAL CONCILIATION BILL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9138, 10 June 1891, Page 2

INDUSTRIAL CONCILIATION BILL.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Wellington, June 9.

The last of the Labour Bills, the Industrial Conciliation Bill (I have already sent you the others) U now out, and the following is a summary of its provisions : —

Parts 1 and 2 provide for the registration of unions and associations (associations meaning Employers' Associations and Trades Councils),

Part 3 provides that industrial agreements may ba made between unions and associations or between unions and associations and auy other persons.

Part 4 provides for (1) boards of conciliation for tho settlement of disputes arising in relation to any one and the same industry, and (2) district boards of conciliation for the settlement of disputes arising in relation to several different industries. Trade boards of conciliation ara constituted by industrial agreement, and to consist of any number of persons, half representing employers and half employed. District boards of conciliation are constituted for all industries carried on in its provincial district and havn jurisdistiou for the settlement of industrial disputes occurring—or referred to them by industrial agreement. Tho lioorii, whioh consists o? persons chosen by the unions of employers and employed, to bo elected for three years. Every board of conciliation is to carefully aad expeditious!} investigate nny industrial dispute, and have all the powers of a board or commission appointed by tho Governor. Bjards may temporarily refer the matters to a committee of their number, who shall endeavour to reconcile

the partieß, or absolutely refer all matters before them for settlement by the court of arbitration. If any union or association is disButisfied with the decision of auy such board of conciliation, it may bring such matter before the arbitration court by petition.

Fart 5 provides that thero shall bs established I in every provincial district in the colony an j arbitration court, each to consist of a president and two assessors. Of the assessors, one each shall be appointed by unions of employers and employed respectively, the members of the court to hold office for three years. Courts of arbitration have jurisdiction overall industrial disputes referred to it by boards of conciliation or industrial associations for adjudication, or compulsory arbitration, or industrial agreement. The president has power to administer oaths and affirmations, and all false swearing and ialse affirmations are deemed to be wilful perjury and punishable. Far the purposes of this bill the president in relation to compelling the attendance of any personH, in punishing for contempt, and enforcing the orders of the court, may exercise the powers of a resident magistrate. Either party to a dispute may appear personally or by agent, but not by counsel or solicitor. The court may refer any matter to a trade or district board of conciliation. Auy person bringing frivolous cases before the court is subject to all costs of such caße. The court in its award may order either party to pay to the other party costs or expense?, which may be recovered as a debt. In all legal proceedings it shall be sufficient to produce the award and prove the signature of the president. Proceedings in all oourts of arbitration shall not be impeached or held bad for want of form; and no award of any arbitration court shall be challenged, appealed against, reviewed, quashed, or called into question by any court whatsoever. The death of any party to proceedings not to abate proceedings.

Part 6 provides that the management of the Government railways is deemed to be an industry, and therefore the Kailway Commissioners may make an industrial agreement with the Railway Servants' Union. Any dispute arising between the commissioners and their servants may be referred to the arbitration court. The commissioners are deemed to be employers »nd the servants a union for the purposes of this act. Should the commissioners refuse to refer any matter to the court, the union may petition the court to hear and determine such complaint, and the court can compel the attendance of the commissioners.

Part 1 provides for compulsory arbitration, subject to the discretion of the Minister, Compulsory arbitration to be declared by proclamation under the hand of the Governor, who may refer the matter in dispute to a district board of conciliation or to a court of arbitration,

Part 8 provides for the enforcement of awards and agreements. Every award to specify the unions, associations, or persons on which it is binding, and the period (not exceeding five years) during which its provisions may be enforced. Process to be issued for the enforcement of any award from any union, association, or person of a greater sum than £500, or from any individual of any greater sum than

£10, Auy person wilfully making default in compliance with an award is guilty of an offence against this act and punishable on summary conviction by a penalty not exceeding £20. Part 9 contains various miscellaneous provitiona. v

The Wellingtsn Trades and Labour Council has expressed its warm general approval of the bill, while reserving its opinion on certain details.