The Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1918. THE ARBITRATION COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12407, 27 August 1918, Page 4

The Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1918. THE ARBITRATION COURT.

The resolution passed by the "Wanganui Carpenters’ Union regarding the Arbitration Court’s refusal to make an award in tho Auckland soft goods employees’ dispute is not distinguished by any moderation. The union views tho refusal “with disgust,” considers that tho Arbitration Court under Mr .Justice Stringer has become an adjunct of tho Employers’ Federation, and that liis Honor should bo relieved of his duties in tho Court. It is difficult to indicate the qualifications which a carpenters’ union possesses to justify Its adoption of such a bellicose resolution, or why it should fool so strongly about conditions of labour of which its members can only have the slightest knowledge. Tho attack on Mr Justice Stringer is an unfair one. Tho Arbitration Court has to bo guided in its decision by the evidence put before it, and in that respect is on tho same footing ns other courts. If an award is refused, it is because tho majority of the Bench consider that it ought to bo refused, and that the applicants have not mndo out their case. Tho violent criticism of Mr Justice Stringer wilt not find endorsement among fair-mind-ed people. Ho conducts his Court sittings with exemplary patience and tact, and it is impossible to impugn his honesty of purpose or desire to administer justice fairly between the contending parties. It is interesting to iccall that Mr Justice Sira was made (the target for similar attacks when ho occupied the position of President of tho Arbitration Court. Accusations of the same description were made, and there were demands from some quarters that ho should bo removed. The fact is that a very considerable body of Labour is dissatisfied with the Arbitration Court as a body for tho rectification of workers’ grievances. There are unions not registered under the Act, and tho more militant of them will not have anything to do with the Court in tho discussion of their disputes. As a case in point, tho attitude of tho miners in tho present crisis may be cited. They reject any proposal which embraces the submission of their case the Court, simply because they are confident of securing better terms without tho intervention of the Count. The problem of arbitration for tho settlement of disputes and tho promotion of industrial amity has not boon solved. The Court has done some excellent work, but during recent years there has come into existence an undercurrent of hostility and dissatisfaction, which has affected the influence and usefulness of an important institution, Tho reversion to the strike weapon is not desired by tlw great body of workers, nor by tho employers of labour. There have been a number of suggestions for the remodelling of tho constitution of itho Court, and it remains to be seen whether any more satisfactory scheme can be devised. Tho abolition of conciliation and arbitration is out of the question, as tho State Ims a direct interest in the maintenanca of industrial peace, which means a steady flow of production. The question might very well engage the serious attention of Parliament.