FEDERAL POLITICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16817, 8 June 1926, Page 2

FEDERAL POLITICS.

ARBITRATION COURT. PROPOSED CHANGES. (From a. Correspondent.) MELBOURNE, May 29. Following oi the proposed Constitutional amendments covered by the. Rills explained by the Prime Minister yesterday, Uic Attorney-General to-day introduced another which is to lake effect in the interval pending the poll of the electors. This measure provides for a reform in the constitution of the Arbitration Court, by discontinuing the term "President"" and substituting "Chief Judge," and by providing for colleagues, who. alons with him, will be exclusively arbitration judges, with life appointments. This is considered to be necessary to make the judicial power which they will exercise elTective. The Chief Judge, will bo paid £3OOO a year, and the others £2500 a year.

A new principle has been incorporated or entitling the judges to pensions of half salary after 15 years' service, or smaller rates to anyone of them who, after five years, may retire on account of permanent disability or infirmity. In a second Bi.ll pensions of an equivalent rate are extended to the judges of the High Court. When Mr Latham pointed out that the High Court judges had interpreted the Constitution to mean that their present appointments were for life there was a burst of laughter. It was a statement succeeding an inquiry whether any provision had been made for retiring judges at a fixed age. "Is there no way under the Constitution to get. over that?" asked Mr Scullin. Mr Latham shook his head. Tiie proposal to give power to the Attorney-General to intervene before the Arbitration Court so that questions of standard hours of work or basic rates may be investigated, had a somewhat mixed reception. Air. Latham was able to remove some of the objections that were suggested. If the electors should favour the proposed amendments to the. Constitution the whole of the powers and functions of Ibis Court will be radically changed. Provision is made for commissioners with delegated powers to act as conciliation authorities. On the whole, the Bill will accord with what seems lo be. the general policy to increase the machinery of government.

It appeared to a few at least of the members that the Government's Arbitration Court Bill ought lo await the result of the referendum, when the altitude of the electors towards an increase of Federal powers can be more definitely interpreted. The summaries given by the Attorney-General were a lucid enough statement of his case, tiis natural tendency lo positive and dogmatic assertion of his own view, however, satisfied himself on alt points without carrying equal conviction to Hie House.