WORKERS AND ARBITRATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3340, 5 October 1911, Page 5

WORKERS AND ARBITRATION.

IS THE COURT A FAILURE? STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER. (.PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.! WELLINGTON, Oct. 4. In the House, after 2 a.m., the vote for Department of Labor (£22,316) was considered. Mr. Herdman moved the reduction of the vote by £1 as an indication that the law should be amended in the direction of dispensing with agents for parties in Conciliation Councils. Mr. McLaren „said that many workers had been impressed with the idea that there should be a change in the Council. Mr. Fisher said that the Arbitration Court had run its course, and was becoming derisive. The Hon. J. A. Millar denied that tlie Act had been held up to derision and had been a failure, and the bulk of the workers would not say a word against the Arbitration Court. Judges of the Court should be men of industrial and commercial experience, and the Court as at present constituted could not bring about the desired effect. Mr. J. P. Luke said that Labor circles were better working under the Arbitration Court than if there was no award. Mr. McLaren said that in order to secure an Industrial Court that would be of value to tlie country, the basis of judgment must be equity and good conscience, and not the principles of jurisprudence. Mr. Herdmah’s amendment was lost on the voices, and the House rose at 2.55 a.m.