THE ARBITRATION ACT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2115, 14 February 1908, Page 2

THE ARBITRATION ACT.

SIR J OSEPH AVARD DEFENDS IT

DECLARES FREEDOM OF CONTRACT SYSTEM BARBAROUS, CRUEL, AND COAVARDLY. Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 13. In a speech at Ivaraiigahake ■ Sir Joseph AVard referred to the Arbitration Act. It could, he said, be ■improved, hut it had done away with the old system of the strength of the men against the strength of money. Under that system only one class suffered, the workers, and their wives and children. A similar state of things would be our lot here if in future we repealed from our statute books that, important piece of work which enabled disputes to be settled liv process of law. and provided in the meantime against any loss of production in the particular industry affected. Only within the last few days, he said/ this country had been asked to help the mien who had •struck in the shipping trade at Sunderland. Three thousand of them were out of work, nearly starving. Those men and their wives _ could have been saved if they had in the Old Country such a law as our Arbitration Act. The old system av as barbarous, cruel, airtl. cowardly. In every country where it existed, men always got the worst of it. It was impossible to compare the conditions in the Old Land with those in New Zealand. On the Continent of Europe indeed in all Continental countries, they had to resort to anarchy t<> impress upon the people their desire to obtain amelioration of laws. This was a very improper method for anyone to resort to.