WARM WELCOME

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 55, 5 April 1930, Page 3

WARM WELCOME

Special to Telegraph.

FORMER NAPIER GENTLEMAN TAKES ARBITRATION COURT SEAT INTERESTING CEREMONY,

WELLINGTON, This day. A warin welcome was given Mr W. Cecil Prime, of Christchurch, formerly of Napiex-, who has succeeded. Mr L. J. ^ehmitt as employers' representative on the Arbitration Court when he took his seat in Wellington yesterday. Mr S. E. Wright, secretary to the Auckland Employers' Association, said they knew Mr Prime had a good knowledge of the industrial laws, and his sound judgment should he of great as-* sjstance to the Court. He wished Mr Prime a long and successful career. Mr E. Kennedy. who was appearing for the employees in the tearooms and private 'hotels dispute, also welcomed Mr Prime. Speakiug for the employers, Mr A. C. Mitcliell, vice-president of the New Zealand Employers' Federation, exijressed the hope that Mr Prime would enjoy a long association with the Court as the employers' representative. All the associations and the federation had every confidence in his ability to fill the position with honour to himself and the Court, and in the interests represented hefore the Court. If he carried on that work in the manner characteristic of his work in other spheres the result would he a vei-y happy one. On heliaif of the Lahour Department, Mr J. W. Wakelin said he desired to congi-atulate Mi* Prime on his appointment. The department considered that Mr Prime's tact, ahility, and sense of fairness rendered him well qualified to carrv out the duties of his important position. FOUR ON EACH SIDE. His Honour Mr Justice Frazer, presickmt of the Court, said Sir Monteith and himself had already had the opportunity of formally welcoming Mr Prime. Personally, said His Honour, he had met Mr Prime frequently during the ten years he had been president of the Court, and he was glad now to welcome him as a memher of it. In looking Iback over that period it seemed strange to His Honour that th«=re should have been four representatives of the workers and now four representatives of the qjnplovers. He hooed the welcome extended to Mr Prime would he of long duration, and that the representation would oontinue to he even. Mr Prime tlianked all present for the welcome extended to him. It would help him in facinrr the duties of the position to realise that he had their support and good wishes. He appreciated the_ faet that the position was one in which hn u-nuld P''ohahlv hnys carvy responsibilities and face difficulties. In his association with employers and workers he had endeavoured to he impartial. No man who was employed in cases for one side could he impartial in eveiw case. hut one could have regard to the whole of the eircumstances of any matter which had to he considered, and that he would endeavour to do.