EXTENSION OF POWERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 98, 13 August 1943, Page 5

EXTENSION OF POWERS

COURT OF ARBITRATION HARBOUR BOARD'S CONCERN In a letter to the Whakatane Harbour Board, the Secretary of the N.Z. Harbour Boards Industrial Union of Employers pointed out that steps were being taken to obtain legislation or regulations for the purpose of making decisions of the Court of. Arbitration filial and conclusive and to enable that Court to implement its. own decisions,, the object being to oust the present jurisdiction of the Civil Courts— namely the Magistrate's Court, the Supreme Court,, and the Court of Appeal—to decide the validity and soundness of civil claims; by 'workers for wages and other payments which they consider to be due under Awards or contracts. All steps possible were being taken by the Union and its Solicitor to protect the interests of the Harbour Boards, but as the matter Avas one of such vital concern to Harbour Boards it was asked that the Prime .Minister be telegraphed immediately of the Board's protest against the proposed Bill and opposing any action that would take away from Harbour Boards their right of access to the Civil Courts in the matter of claims for wages alleged to be due. The chairman, Mr W. R. Boon, reported that Mr Sullivan, M.P., had been telegrapher in this important matter and asked to interview the. Prime Minister and strongly protest on the Board's behalf to any alteration in the existing law which gives all parties right of access to Civil Courts in the matter of disputed wages claims etc. As a result of this a letter dated 29th July, from the Prime Minister to W. Sullivan Esq. M.P. and minuted. on to Board —advised that the representations made by the Board and the support given by Mr Sullivan have been noted and placed before the Hon. Minister of Labour for consideration, it was suggested that the Board, or the Harbour Boards Association might arrange to give evidence before the Labour Bills Committee when the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act was; receiving attention. Mr Sullivan had advised that the Harbours' Association solicitor was very ably dealing with the Boards ease, before the Labour Bills Committee.