MR JUSTICE FRAZER.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17112, 6 April 1921, Page 8

MR JUSTICE FRAZER.

WELCOMED TO CHRISTCHUBCH. The recently appointed President of the Arbitration Court, Mr Justice Frazer, who was some years ago a wellknown local solicitor, presided over his first Ohristchurch sittings of the Conrfc yesterday, and was accorded a cordial welcome.

Mr O. T. J. Alpers, in the absence of Mr J. J. Dougall, president of the Canterbury Law Society, said that his Honour was remembered as a colleague of local members of the Bar, all of whom, had confidence in his Honour's fairness, courtesy, and determination to decide cases on the principles of justice. All hoped that his term of office would be a tiiappy one. Mr Alpers had much pleasure in welcoming his Honour to the Bench, a welcome in which the labour representatives and the employers' jrepresentatives would all jcin. On behalf of labour, Mr C. Renn welcomed his Honour, and Mr Justice Frazer came to the Court at a, time. when tfhe industrial' affairs of the Dominion were in a somewTiat involved condition. The decisions of the Court during the years to come would have a great effect on people employed and employing in this country. The labour people realised that the system of compulsory arbitration had grown in favour with a large section of workers, and tlhey felt that under his Honour the Court would enjoy the confidence of the great majority of trade unionists. Mr R. Q. Bishop, on behalf of the employers, congratulated his Honour on his appointment to the Bench.' In reply, Mr Justice Frazer expressed sincere thanks for the welcome extended to him. He came.back with great pleasure, he said, amonajst his. Christchurch friends. The position to which he had been elevated was not.altogether a bed of roses, but, so far, He had mot with" only exaeeding kindness and consideration. The good wishes of one's friends helped one, and he took comfort from the kind thoughts expressed toward him. So far as the work of the Court was concerned, there was a great deal of ground and arduous work to cover, and he was happy in having associated with him Messrs McCulkmgh and Scott, two members of the Court with. a large and helpful experience. They were all anxious to do their best, and to decide every caso fairly and squarely on-its merits, and) the-most careful consideration was, and would be, given to, every caso. If the parties themselves were not always satisfied with tlhe /results of their applications, they would give the Court credit for having done its best to arrive at a fair conclusion. ;