THE ARBITRATION COURT.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20495, 14 March 1932, Page 13

THE ARBITRATION COURT.

TO THE EpjTOB OTT THE I'BEBS. . Sir, —The views of the maßter builders of Cliristchurch on tlie amendments "of the Arbitration Act, now before Parliaments, as Reported in your issue of the 9th,'make interesting reading.' The president's remarks suggested that he was speaking for the employera o£

the Dominion, instead of the master builders of this district. No ■doubt while the many millions of borrowed money were supplementing the national revenues" derived from exports-, : the Arbitration, Court functioned with' an ever upward tendency; and theirs being a sheltered industry, .they have-, quite legitimately; passed on* the increased award rates of pay 'to their clients. No, doubt they honestly resisted many of,the claims made by the unions for Increased rates of pay and improved conditions; but if they failed.the extra cost was passed on. The abuses, following the Arbitration Act are .infinitely greater than any ahuses prior to the passing of the Act: go slow, stop work meetings during working hours, the elimination of piecework, "with a consequent loss of personality" and good endeavour on-the those who wish to improve their position. Those forces their on too many to-day. Hie Arbitration Court/has produced a large number of unionV secretaries, I:who have so .overtaxed the Court that the. attempt has been made to have an extra Court. .Theearly pioneers built up a thriving community without .the aid of ,any such Court: and the time " is. long overdue to end a system which Encourages the search for supposed grievances to redress anfl ends by putting industry ia a strait-jacket.—Yours, etc., ■ A:B. March 12th, 1932.