Tit for Tat

Southland Times, Issue 19185, 24 October 1903, Page 4

Tit for Tat

Truth ( Christchurch) .

Mr Arnold's little scheme to penalise employers for their neglect to consult Mr Arnold about their own affairs having failed, that vindictive politician has cast about for another moans to maktS it plain that it is a dangerous thing to igttore the importance of the junior member for Dunedin. Mr Arnold was so fiercely indignant that tho Dunedin employers did not refer their grievances over Labour Bills to the labour member, that he actually withheld correspondence, and endeavoured to block the evidence of employers before the Lahour Bills Committee. Even Mr Seddon was compelled to disagree with his supporter's action, and Mr Arnold then made an attempt to add a clause giving preference to Unionists to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Bill. Owing to the alertness of the Leader of the Opposition, the matter was adjourned until the third reading of the Bill, when very probably it will be thrown out

Meanwhile Mr Arnold is no doubt congratulating himself ou having

" got back " at the employers by reviving this question, which had evidently been considered by the Government and finally omitted from the Hill brought down. Hut we have an idea that il" the clause it* j-ussed it will bo the workers, and .-.ot lhe employers, who will have reason to execrate Mr Arnold's hasty action. Compulsory preference would have the effect of making every mon a

Unionist and having none but Unionists to deal with, the employer could not he accused of prejudice if he dismissed whom he pleased. At present the most incompetent Unionists retain their employment because their employers know the outcry that will he raised if they dismiss them in favour of competent non-Union men. Preference to Unionists will not hurt the employer much, but it will give the Unions power of life and death almost over the unfortunate employe, and it will discount the inferior workman's chalice of employment considerably.

In this case it is a various and significant fact that Mr Arnold should have tho support of the Premier in introducing a clause that Was carefully omitted from the Government bill, and that tho clause which the junior member for Dunedin moved should have been printed on Government paper, and evidently clipped from a Government bill. The Premier's hankering alter compulsory preference in the face of the decisions of the Arbitration Court is more difficult to unclerstnnd than Mr Arnold's. The Court, with power to give preference in all cases, has withheld it is fionie. The object of the Court is to be perfectly fair and just, and in those cases where preference was not granted it no doubt came- to the conclusion that it would be unfair and, unjust. Mr Arnold, with ihe support of the Premier, proposes to over-ride the decision of the Court, and to make preference compulsory, not only in those Cases where the Court has granted it. but in those where the Court, after a

careful study of the position, has carefully refrained from granting it.

And in ordur to obtain this end, and to revenge himself, no doubt, upon the employers, Mr Arnold, with the personal sympathy of the Premier, introduced his clause in the early hours ot the morning, whefl the House was at its thinnest, nnd when, if the Loader of the Opposition had not been on the alert, it would not improbably have been incorporated in the bill, und the colony would have been committed to the most important and faf-reaCbillj? experiment in laibour legislation that lms yet been mooted. Mr Arnold tjs Chairman of the Labour Dills Committee, an*' lie knew perfectly well when he suddenly introduced tho clause tnat. he- was taking a step that bad neither the sanction nor approval of the committee. If Mr Arnold Is honestly impressed with the need for compulsory preference, why did he not bring the matter up when tho bill was beforo the committee, or give notice of his intention to move the amendment. ? But apparently it was only after _- his brush with the employers-- over the question' oi taking evidence beforo the Labour Bills Committee that Mr Arnold became imbued with the necessity for compulsory preference.