THE ARBITRATION ACT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 15 September 1913, Page 4

THE ARBITRATION ACT.

We are not alone in our contention that the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, as a means of preventing strikes has proved an utter failure, and it were better to end it than mend it in such a fashion that it can be flouted with impunity. Tho Christchurch Press, dealing with the subject, say©: —

"It is, we confess, with no great enthusiasm that we hear of any fresh attempt to boTster up the Arbitration Act. For years the Legislature has patihed, and repaired, and reconstructed, and built on a new wing here and demolished an old one there. And the unfortunate thing is just as far off as ever it was fro.n achieving its object. This is not surprising, since what it seeks to achieve is impossible of achievement. Strikes cannot be prevented by any legislative means, and it is the greatest folly in the world, therefore, and no little of fraud, too, to maintain an Act on the pretence that it is doing or will do what no Act can do." ■ V..■:;■»-.■;, < ■•.■'. v.> WAR OFFICE AND MEAT. —_ ■ Considerable:.: surprise will -be felt" at; ;. the announcement that the War Office is discarding the use of frozen mutton and ifi-ihb. The High Commissioner has expressed surprise, in view of the. fact that_ New Zealand frozen mutton; is* coming into great; public favour. The 6ovei*nmen£ should'go iuHher, ; 'the/decisioni of the War Office. .The least that the overseas dominions can expect in return for the millions they are expending upon the Navy, is tfiat they shall be permitted to provide some of the food required. The quality of New Zealand "frozen mutton is r we venture to say, quite good enough for the "Tommies" of the British. Navy. It is superior to what many of them would get on land. If the War Office wishes to retain the confidence and practical support of the dominions, it will require to extend every consideration, in,the way of reciprocity.