ARBITRATION ACT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 12, 15 January 1932, Page 6

ARBITRATION ACT

PROPOSAL FOR OVERHAUL SUSPENSION OF AWARDS Although the Government’s proposals for an alteration of the Arbitration Act have not yet been disclosed, concern in industrial and other quarters is being revived by rumours that action of a drastic nature is contemplated by the Coalition. The reassembly of the Ministry io Wellington after the holidays will be followed by a series of Cabinet meetings, and it is known that one of the important questions awaiting detcrav. nation is the line of action, to be taken regarding the overhaul of the arbitration system to which the Government i# committed. It is the opinion of tn«» Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, that the growth of restrictions, regu lations and awards, after 30 years of operation of the arbitration system, has not allowed local industry to ex pand, but has kept it in a strait-jacket and made for unemployment. Mr. Forbes has also pointed out that owing to the operation of the Act, the Unemployment. Board has experienced the greatest difficulty in placing m work men other than navvies. When in Auckland at election time he expressed his determination to do his best to sweep away any restrictions that stood in the way of mon returning to employment. Another difficulty Mr. Forbes committed the Government to attempt to overcome related to the retention of staffs by employers who. operating under considerably reduced turnovers, are unable to pay the award fixed wages. The Prime Minister holds very definitely that any one-sided condition cannot bo continued, and that the system must imply arbitration accepted by both sides and not used for the purpose of hampering industry as at the present time. According to the statement made by rhe Hon. W. Downie Stewart prior to his departure for Honolulu last month, the Government then had on the stocks proposals regarding the Act, although in his view these would not help a I reduction in internal costs nearly a? much as farmers imagined. Hi* had thought the host way might be by the suspension of arbitration awards, but he had been informed by all the exports on the subject that that would not meet the case and that the constitution of the Court would have to be altered. It is interesting to recall that in 1927 suggestions were made for an alteration in the constitution of the Court, but no action was taken. Ai the time it was believed that the proposals the Reform Government had considered included the appointment of throe judges in place of one and the elimination of the assessors The only certain aspect about the present position is that the constitution of the Court can be altered only by amending legislation. Should important modifications be decided upon by Cabinet and an early introduction of them be considered necessary, the Government would have an additional reason for summoning an emergency session of Parliament.