THE ARBITRATION COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12243, 6 January 1902, Page 5

THE ARBITRATION COURT.

THE COMPLAINT OF DISAPPOINTED UNIONISTS. THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE DEFENDS THE PRESIDENT. (Per United Prkss Association.) THAMES, January *. A deputation of the Thames Miners' Union to tho Hen. Mr M'Gowan urged the removal of Mr Justice Cooper a3 chairman of tho Arbitration Court, as the minors had no confidence in him. Mr O'Kccfo (tho president) said tiio miners thought (and the speaker was of tho same opinion) that the influence of Auckland companies had some something to do with the decisions of tire judge. The judge had been brought up amongst them, and had been hand-in-glove with Mr Rhode*, of the Wailii Company, and solicitor for the companies cited, and he (Mr O'Kceie) would not hesitato to fay that ho had not been an impartial judge. He had lowered tho staudard of wages from 8s to 7s 6<l in. Coromandel, and from 9.9 to 8s at the Barrier. Ho had also given an impetus to tho studding of Sunday labour. Mr MJGowan said the statements made by Mr O'Keofo formed a, very serious charga to make against a Supremo Court judge, and he was sorry to hear the remarks passed. Ho regretted to hear that tho opinion of Mr ilustice Cooper's capabilities as president of tho Arbitration Court was as detsilcd by Mr O'Kccfo. In his opinion tho adverso comments passed were not deserved. It often happened that when a caso was takon to court theso against whom the judgment of the court was passed (the parties who had not succeeded) blamed the court and not thomsolves. So far as ho was conoorned, he could tell them plainly that bo had no intention of endeavouring to remove Mr Justice Cooper from the position of president of the Arbitration Court, or to. give any encourngomont to the views expressed by Mr O'Kcefo. Ho believed that Mr Justice Cooper was actuated by the highest motives. The safely and rights of the community depended upon the. removal of _ the courts from anything approaching political influence or interference.