SECOND ARBITRATION COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23599, 8 September 1938, Page 5

SECOND ARBITRATION COURT

FUTURE UNDER CONSIDERATION MINISTER DISCUSSES POSSIBLE CHANGES (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 7. It was announced to-day by the Minister of Labour (Mr H. T. Armstrong) that the Cabinet had under consideration the question whether the Second Court of Arbitration would continue to function after the term for which it was established expired in November next. The Minister said that whatever decision was made would not affect the position of Mr Justice Hunter, who was permanently appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. Many avenues of employment could be found for him in his judicial capacity, Mr Armstrong said. it was possible, the Minister continued, that in future industrial magistrates would be appointed to hear local awards and other minor cases, leaving the Court of Arbitration free to deal with Dominion awards and compensation cases, and also to act as a Court of Appeal in regard to disputed decisions of magistrates, not only in respect of awards but also in respect of workers’ compensation cases. “„We have already appointed one industrial magistrate, and he is likely to commence his duties in Auckland this week,” the Minister said. “Mr R. D.'Lumsden, an officer of the branch of the Department of Labour in Wellington, has- gone to Auckland to act as registrar of the Court of Arbitration temporarily in place of Mr J, A; Gilmour, who is the industrial magistrate appointed.” The Minister added that in the event of the Second Court of Arbitration being disposed of, it was possible that Mr Rutland, registrar of the Second Court, would be permanently appointed registrar of, the Arbitration Court. ,