LABOR DISPUTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 271, 17 April 1914, Page 5

LABOR DISPUTES.

SAFEGUARDING THE "THIRD ] PARTY." Jiy Telegraph- -Press Association. j Auckland, Last Night. < The question of safeguarding the interests of the "third party" in industrial disputes heard before the Arbitration , ■Court has often been referred to in discussions regarding the working of the New Zealand labor laws. The matter cropped up again during an interview between a deputation from the. Auckland Farmers' Union and the Prime Minister. The particular subject on this occasion was the suggested pay- , ment of a special rate to timber work- '. ers for handling imported timbers. The ! "third party" in this case comprises ( builders and farmers, and the deputa- ' tion dwelt, on the feed of safeguarding ! their interests. The Prime Minister said the Govern- ] ment could no more interfere with the ' Arbitration Court than'it could, with the Supreme Court. There was no doubt. ' however, that, as pointed out, there was ' a defect in the present system. There ' was often a third party in industrial disputes which at present had no statutory right of being beard when the ease , was being considered. He thought that any tbird party which felt sufficiently k'interested should have a legal right to ■go to the Court and give, evidence. He ■thought that the law allowed this to ■be done, now at the option of the court, I 'hut he was not quite clear on that point. Fulo would look into tlhe matter, and if fhe found that an amendment of the Act ( ' was necessary lie would take steps in : that direction. ,