ARBITRATION COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1921, Page 4

ARBITRATION COURT.

RECENT DELAY TO WORK AMENDMENT TO THE ACT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House to-night went into committee on the Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill. The Hon. G. J. Anderson explained that Mr. McCullough, the member of the Arbitration Court representing the labor unions, resigned without an explanation, and the business of the Court was held up. He was re-elected, but he notified that he was unable to take his seat. The Minister read published correspondence from Mr. McCullough dealing with his reasons for his resignation, and he said it was apparent that Mr? - McCullough did not intend to take his seat. The Bill was designed to avoid disruption of the Court’s business through a member’s resignation by empowering the judge to summon a temporary nominated member to sit on the Court till the new permanent member was elected. If the temporary nominated member was unable to act, then the Governor-General was empowered to appoint an acting member. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) said he always believed in the principle of arbitration, which was being utilised to-day even in the settlement of legal disputes. He pointed out that the Arbitration Court, which had to deal with most complex problems, was the only one in New Zealand’s judicial system that was judge and jury in itself. The public should be brought into the position of a jury in disputes between worker and employer. He would suggest the abolition of permanent appointments of representatives, except judges, of whom there should be at least three, so that disputes may be dealt with promptly. He believed in the principle of conciliation, but appointments of Conciliation Commissioners should be made from experts in particular industries. In the Arbitration Court judges should have the assistance of men expert in the particular trade or industry under review. Something on these lines was necessary, as the Arbitration Court, as at present constituted, had outlived its usefulness.

Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) reviewed what had occurred ih connection with the cost of living bonus, and he said Mr. McCullough believed the Court’s pronouncement was intended to stabilise wages. Then the next case came on, and the Court decided to reduce wages, whereupon Mr. McCullough considered the Court had broken its agreement among the members thereof, so he resigned. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) disclaimed that Labor did not wish to get rid of the Arbitration Court, and asked the. Minister to make a declaration that the Government was not “monkeying” with the Act with a view to getting rid of it in the interests of Employers’ Associations.

The Minister, in reply, said the present Bill had a limited purpose. Later on he might be introducing a. measure with a larger scope, and he would then take into consideration suggestions which had been made by various speakers in the debate. At clause 3, Which provided that if an acting nominated member failed to sit on thf Court th? Governor-General might, on the recommendation of the judge, appoint some one to take his place. Mr. Howard suggested that the Governor-General should appoint the candidate next bn the list of those nominated by the unions. The Minister declined to accept the suggestion, because the whole effect of was to get the Court to function. It might happen that candidates nominated by the unions would not act, and they would simply get back into the position from which they were now trying to escape. The Bill was reported with a minor amendment moved by the Minister.