ARBITRATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18031, 20 January 1923, Page 9

ARBITRATION.

A NEW PROPOSAL. METHODS OF CONSTITUTION. DEALING WITH LEGISLATION. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 19. An important proposal is being launched by the Wellington Trades and Labour Councils’ Federation. One of the special objects will be to maintain the system of Arbitration as a means of settling industrial disputes. This afternoon, Mr J. Read, President of the Trades and Labour Council, said that the reasons adduced for the formation of the proposed federation, were: (1) That no special application had been made by any nationally organised labour body to deal with labour legislation since the cessation of activities of the old National Trades Council’s Federation. (2) It was thought imperatively necessary that labour should devote itself to the idea of improving. the Dominion’s labour legislation generally, and urging the removal cf defects where these are found. (3) To endeavour to repeal laws, or portions of laws, which are found to be to , labour’s disadvantage, and, generally speaking to work in a constitutional manner for the improvement of the position of the workers as a whole. “In addition to this,” said Mr Read, “is the fact that those unions which are primarily disposed to adhere to the Arbitration Act have not any national organisation to act as a guide for their representatives on the Arbitration Court. This is a shortcoming that should he overcome, and one which certainly has been overcome by employers in New Zealand. In this respect, the employers have given a lead latterly to unions registered under the Industrial Conciliation Arbitration Act. In' the opinion of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council, more permanent gain can be secured by this method than by any other which has been advocated. During the last 15 years, legislation obtained by this method under a somewhat sympathetic Government, has remained, while the gains secured by other means very frequently have been taken away, when adverse coniu-' tions have arisen. “The. Council is proposing to take steps immediately, to get into touch with the Trades Councils in other centres of the Dominion, with a view to reorganisation of the old Federation and we are hoping to secure the hearty,, co-operation of other centres.