CONCILIATION COMMISSIONERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2400, 15 January 1909, Page 6

CONCILIATION COMMISSIONERS.

THE NEW APPOINTMENTS. AN EMPLOYER’S VIEWS. [Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH. Jan. 14. Mr. W. F. Hobbs, president of the Canterbury Employers’ Association, in in interview with a representative of the “Press” regarding the appomtemnt of Conciliation Commissioners, remarked that neither of the gentlemen appointed were known to him personally. He believed that Mr. P. I-lallv hail a good reputation, tnd was viewed favorably by the people or Otago as Inspector of Awards. In respect to. Air. T. Harle Giles he (Air. Hobbs) bad no information respecting ids connection with industrial affairs. It seemed to him, and to the members of his Association, very necessary that the gentleman appointed as Conciliation Commissioner should be thoroughly conversant with industrial or manufacturing concerns. If, as, lie had been led to understand. Mr. Giles is somewhat of a practical theorist, tire appointment would probably bring the position into disrepute very quickly, knowing, as they did, that other capable and good men are available. The appointment of Mr. Giles has caused a great deal of surprise to them. The suggestion that Conciliation Commissioners should be appointed had emanated from the Canterbury Employers’ Association, and in their representation to the Government they had strongly urged that vers callable men should be appointed, otherwise the Commissioners •would not realise what was expected of them. Their suggestion was that the persons appointed should he of not lesser calibre than a Stmcndiary Magistrate, though they did not necessarily desire that lawyers should be selected, the idea being that the persons appointed should be in commercial or business circles of equal standing to a Magistrate—men with good general knowledge of affairs., good level-headed men, and ,if possible, men with actual experience of manufacturing or industrial methods.