INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13728, 17 March 1915, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES.

SHOULD 1 HEY'BE HEARD IN

WAR-TIME?

[United Peess Association.;]

Wellington, March 16. Further argument on the application by trade unions to recommence the hearing of industrial dispu bes was beard h- the Arbitration Ooiirt to-day. Mr. Carey, the unions' representative, «ii<3 that in no country where the system of industrial arbitration was in force had it been laid down that the functions of the Arbitration Court should be suspended in war tune. Mr Justice Stringer pointed out that the Court's ruling was only for the time being, and applications for review coulcl bo made at any time. . , Mr Carey replied that the interpretation'placed upon the ruling by the. employers had tended. to block arbitration and conciliation, and to discourage trade -unionism. He referred to the prosperity of the Dominion and the absence of unemployment. Savings Banks ! deposits had increased largely in JanuaiMr. Justice Stranger suggested that that might indicate the closing ot otner avenues of invcstanent. • ~ , Mr. Carey: On a matter like this 1 am content to take the opinion of Mr. Massev, who says the Savings Bank deposits 'indicate increased prosperity *Mr. Justice Stringer: We can't take Mr. Massey's opinions as gospel, you knMr; Carey: When they back up the' claims of unions probably they die nearer right than they ever were be■°ln' the course of further aiKiiment Mr. Carey contended that not only had the war not affected employment but that it had acted as a corrective to unemployment. The Labour £fpaitment of New South Wales had obtained fig ures which indicated that at the ena of October 11,650 men had been drawn from civil life for the^peditw nary Forces, and at least 10,500 must be taken as drawn from the ranks of Ai-nnlovees in industries. JNo nguie& S obtainable as to. «Ie pwpotjjf for New Zealand, and he * h£ the New South Wales tables must be taken as a guide. +i l/ «i<rTit Mr. Justice Stringer said Rethought the position was different in New Zealand as more recruits-had come from contended that that was » mistaken impression". He also stressed the increase in the cost of living. Argument for the employers will be> heard to-morrow.