ARBITRATION COURT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10892, 5 March 1914, Page 3

ARBITRATION COURT.

Per Press Association. Auckland, March 3

The newly appointed President of the Arbitration Court, Mr Justice Stringer, commenced his duties at 10.30 this morning, when he presided at the opening ®f the Arbitration Court sittings in Wellington. The occasion was marked by the attendance of a large number of members of the Wellington bar aad representatives of Employers’ and Labour Unions.

The Hon. A. L Herdman, At-torney-General, congratulated the President on attaining an honour to which his long services at the bar and as a worthy citizen of Hew Zealand justly entitled him. His Honour, in reply, thanked Mr Herdman and the members of the Wellington bar most sincerely for their very cordial welcome. He hoped his work in future would show their confidence was not entirely misplaced. He had a very deep sense of the responsibility cast upon him as President of the Arbitration Court, He leqognised it would require the utmost *tact and delicacy ta hold the balance between the opposing interests of Labour and Capital. He thought notwithstanding certain indications to the contrary that there was a general trend of opinion among all classes towards arbitration as the only rational method of settling industrial disputes and he thought the Court was capable of doing good work if only the parties would recognise its power for, good in making awards. However, the Court would have to due regard to the laws of economics, as to make awards whichdefied those laws would only bring disaster upon those concerned. Sir Joshua Williams had said upon a recent occasion that he regarded the Arbitration Court as a powerful instrument for the amelioration of conditions of workers and for the prevention of oppression.; He had to be very careful, however, that in whatever he did he did not bring disaster uponjthe industry concerned and cause disaster all round. He hoped to be able to give- the the fullest benefits under the Act consistent with the uninterrupted progress and prosperity of industries concerned. He hoped that with the aid of experienced colleagues he would be able to attain ‘that object. He hoped in that way. to substantially and materially promote industrial peace and welfare. His utmost efforts would be directed to bring about that consummation so much to be desired, s'