Arbitration Court Under Fire

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24296, 13 May 1940, Page 6

Arbitration Court Under Fire

Increases in wages under the New Zealand Timber Workers’ Award have been refused by the Arbitration Court, over which Mr Justice Tyndall presided. The court’s decision was vigorously attacked by the secretary of the Westland Branch of the New Zealand Timber Workers’ Union (Mr F. L. Turley), in a statement in which he described the finding as illogical. “ The memorandum of Mr Justice Tyndall in the face of all the facts produced is to say the least alarming when a 100 per cent, watertight case proved by evidence is placed before the court to prove that an increase is justified from every angle,” Mr Turley said. “ The employers do not produce one particle of evidence to combat this, and the court then deals in prophecies and what it believes or says is common knowledge. After 21 years’ experience in the making of industrial agreements,. I must say that the Court’s memorandum is the most illogical I have ever read, and I have got to say once again that the workers can expect nothing from the present Arbitration Court system, but must rely on their industrial strength to get improvements.”

The General Order Steps to expedite the hearing of an application for a general increase in wages of workers under awards, based on the rise in the cost of living, are expected to be taken by the Government. As the law stands, the Arbitration Court has apparently no power to consider an application dealing‘with wages generally, and legislative authority is needed for the court to proceed with the application made to it some weeks ago by the Federation of Labour. This (says the Press) will probably be given under the Emergency Regulations which give the Government wide and absolute power to introduce regulations covering all phases of national activity. The clause under which action is likely to be taken is that authorising steps for the “ safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of the community.” By acting under this regulation, the Minister of Labour (Mr P. C. Webb) would obviate any delay which would be consequent on the parties waiting till Parliament made the necessary authorisation for procedure—probably, as in 1931, in a Finance Act. No delay in the hearing of the application is expected once the necessary legislation is approved by the Cabinet. Reassembly of Parliament

Parliament is to assemble on June 13. Making this announcement after a meeting of the Cabinet on Saturday, the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, said that if the war situation developed and the necessity for an earlier session arose Parliament would meet, but at present there was no necessity for that.

Sinking Differences Reference to the more serious aspects of the war situation was made by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Adam Hamilton, at 3 reunion of members of Southland farmers’ touring parties, Which was held in Invercargill on Friday. It was vital that all people should sink the differences that were likely to divide the country in its war effort, Mr Hamilton said. Those who could not go overseas, could assist by producing foodstuffs in greater quantities, which were Britain’s most urgent need after soldiers.

Compensation Court A sitting of the Compensation Court for the hearing of cases set down six days prior to the session will commence at the Supreme Court on Monday, May 20, at 10 a.m. Mr Justice O’Regan will preside. Amuri Tunnel Pierced

The piercing of the Amuri Bluff tunnel on the South Island main trunk railway was announced on Friday by the Minister of Public Works, Mr R. Semple. The finishing of the tunnel, the Minister expected, would be accomplished within a month. The tunnel is the principal one, and the longest, on the trunk railway between Christchurch and Blenheim. It has a length of 39 chains. There are 14 other tunnels on the southern section of the railway, on which tunnelling of two miles and a-quarter has to be done.

The Tables Turned A Christchurch business man who has a reputation for organising practical jokes had the tables neatly turned on him one day last week. He persuaded a friend to enter a church cooking competition for men, the idea being that, if his friend were to gain a prize, an orgy of congratulatory telephone rings would be arranged. The friend, however, quietly entered the scones in the practical joker’s name, the sequel being that more than 30 telephone rings, five telegrams, and a cookery' book were received by the joker—and, to crown all, a certificate from those running the competition to the effect that the scones were “ highly commended ”

Canada’s No. 1 Soldier A nephew of Mr Andrew McCallum. of Isla Bank, Southland, Squadron Sergeant-major Albert McCallum, comes closest to being Canada’s No. 1 soldier. There is no regimental number one, but Squadron Sergeant-major McCallum, who is a member of the Ist Hussars, has a regimental number of “A.-l.” He enlisted first with the Ist Hussars at the age of 15, before he was out of High School. That was in 1929. He enlisted as a signaller; but he learned to ride well and to lead men. Last year his “B” squadron was judged best at Pinehill Camp at Thedford. Squadron Sergeant-major McCallum’s father, who lives in Canada, served in the Boer War. Roads to West Coast

By driving cautiously motorists can now travel from Canterbury to Westland over Arthur’s Pass. For the first time since the recent heavy falls of snow and ram cars are now passing ever the full length of the road. The alternative route to the West Coast, through the Lewis Pass, will not be open for traffic before May 20. Reconstruction of the Hope river bridge after the recent floods is proceeding satisfactorily and the bridge will be ready for traffic on May 15. On the Hanmer side of the Hope-bridge, however, water courses and flooded creeks have badly scoured the road, and this has caused the delay in the reopening of the Lewis Pass route. The Public Works Department is making every endeavour to clear the road. Shock for Taxpayers

Many people will bo unpleasantly surprised when they examine closely the new general return of income, which has to be submitted to the Commissioner of Taxes in respect to the year ended on March 31. Clause D states that a dependent relative ” does not include any person in respect of whom a monetary benefit is payable out of the social security fund.” This will be news to the majority of people. Many taxpayers who have reached middle life have to help shoulder the burdens of aged and invalid relatives who cannot be expected to get along on the 30s per week paid them out of the social security fund. In future, no taxation relief will be allowed for help given in this way, which, in some cases, must amount to as much as the maintenance of one of the taxpayer s ycung children.

The Social Security Act A little-known clause in the Social Security Act came before the notice of the Supreme Court at Hamilton last week during the hearing of a claim for damages brought by a cyclist who was injured in a collision with a motorcar. Counsel said that while the plaintiff was in hospital he had received £2 10s a week from the Social Security Department for his wife and children. Under the Act this money was repayable in the event of plaintiff- succeeding in his claim, and an allowance for this had accordingly been made in the special damages claimed. Longer Hours Urged The question of working hours in the Dominion, especially those affecting dairy farmers, was brought up by Mr E. Scott, of Kapuni, at a Dairy Ward conference in Taranaki recently. He urged that the Government be asked to extend all working hours by 10 per cent., stating that the farmer's chief difficulty was the labour question. Lack of labour was the only cause that prevented increased production. He added that just now fertiliser works should be working “ flat out,” but there was net the labour available. A motion was carried urging the Government to extend working hours, by 10 per cent,, with a maximum of 48 hours, without increases in wages. Benefit Match Proposed A proposal to form a representative public service football team to arrange a match, the funds from which would be devoted to the Provincial Patriotic Association, was made at a meeting of the Police Social Club on Friday night. Sergeant H. Hogg was the chairman and Sergeant T. Johnston was secretary. It was thought that with the co-operation of the Railways Department, the Post and Telegraph Department and other Government departments a team could be selected which would be capable of meeting even a representative side. A committee was appointed to discuss the matter with the other departments.