AMICABLE ARBITRATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13888, 27 April 1907, Page 15

AMICABLE ARBITRATION.

RECIPROCAL COMPLIMENTS. ' THo proceedings before the Arbit.ro.tion Court at Waihi in connection with fho demands of tho Waihi Miners' Union woro evidently marked 'by a display of mutual friendliness such as ii not always manifested during tlo progress of tho hearing o( industrial disputes. The Waihi: correspondent of , tho Auckland Star supplies tho following account of the caso: — Mr A. Rower and memlwrs of the union (Messrs D. Johnstone and 11. Armstrong), who appeared with him, woro congratulated by Mr Scott (employers' representative), Mr 0. Rhodes, and other officials of tho company on the clean manner'in which Iho miners' rcvso was conducted, Ail through tho sitting no personalities wero resorted to, and tlm utmost good feeling was manifest between tho opposing representatives. The union . ofHoiale, on their part, speak highly of tho manner in which Ihcy wore treated by Mr Scott, to whom they refer ns a thorough gentleman and a while man. Mr Rossor has been congratulated on all side 3 for tho ablo manner in which ho conducted tho union oase. Igrtyonc witnesses were examined by Mr Rossor on behalf ,of the Miners'' Union in eight J and a-half hours—a possible reenrd. Tho following amusing incidents, which tended to. enliven tho proceedings during tho sitting of the Arbitration Court, here, are worth, relating. Mr Rossor, for tho union, to Mr C. Rhodes, attorney of tho AVaihi Company: "I suppose, Mr Rhodes. that it would not bo asking too much of you to say whefhor a bonus would bo paid about June next'!"

Mr Rhodes: "I could not. well do that." Mr Rosser: "No, of course you are not a nrophel—prophets aro born, not made." His Honor (interjecting): "Surely it ia pools aro born, not made, Mr Rosier." Mr Rower: "Ah, and prophets too, your Honor, but not tho Waihi Company's profits —tlioy aro made."—(Laughter.) Winn Iho wurt. was about to adjourn for tho day Mr Scott inlimntod that they had one long witness to call and two short ones, ilia Honor suggested that, they might hear one of the short once first, bul Mr Scolt replied that much would .depend upon Mr ■ferry s ovidence, Mr liosser horo inter--Wed.: "Ia "Barry your long wilnes3?" At th:s sally Iho court was convulsed. A witness sfcited that tlip noiso of stampers in the battery affccltd His hearing. Mr Scott: "Oh, lio hear,; very woll now." Mr Rower: "Yes, Mr Scott, but Iho Eta ™l :l ? rs nro nof Roing."—(Laughter.) whilst Mr Johnetono (for tho union) was questioning Mr Barry as to bis rcaflons for giving no'explanation when men woro dismissed,, his Honor interjected: "But suppose, Mr Johnstone, tho company didn't like tlio colour gf a man's liair, what would yon propose to do?"

Mr Johrwtono: "Wo should like to liavo sufficient .reason for the dismissal." Onq witness (a trucker) from Waikino Mid: "You have to keep going from tho fall to Iho drop of Hie flag." A witty reply from Mr Rossor was as fellows:— ,

llw Honor:. "When does a man cease (o lio a. press labourer and hcoomo a pressman?" ...

Mr. Rower:'-."When ho's been dropped 6fl, your Honor."—(Lnughlor.) In hie closing addres?. Jlr Rosscr, referring to tlio Oliinrrmiri Jliver, said that, had it not beep for Hip tailings coming from tlio mining companies' batteries, which hat] converter! tills lieauliful slrolch of water into a dirtv sludge channel, the scone passing' fhrons»h Karangaliafeo Gorgo would ,liavo out,rivalled Mahawatu Gorge. Even tho. very trout, nddwl Mr Rosser, had heller censo than to come up I,ho river.—(Laughter.)