THE HON. J. A. MILLAR.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 552, 6 July 1909, Page 6

THE HON. J. A. MILLAR.

.INTERVIEW AT OHRISTOHUiICH.

THE OUTLOOK IMPKOVING.

; (By Telegraph— Press Association.) * Chrlstchurch, July 5. ■ "Finance is .improving. It is on the upward grade," said the Hon..J. A. Millar, in an interview on Saturday. / He wen* on to say that the railway returns for the past nine weeks were very good, and ahead of the same period'of last year. Deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank also- showed an increase. If the prices of wool were maintained; which, from information, to hand, seemed probable (and possibly they might be higher), it would make a.big difference to the Dominion, as a considerable amount of New Zealand wool was to be dealt with at the sales.; He had been informed that' generally speaking there: was better feeling in business circles. A notable item in. connection with railway finance was that owing to the good grain season, and being able to" keep the rolling stock going on full time, the ratio'of expenditure to revenue had decreased to 58 per cent, in the South Island and to 60-per cent, inthe "North. The Minister-expressed his gratification at the success: which had attended Conciliation Councils in the settling of disputes;, ; , When both sides met and mutually recognised each .other's wants the system was more likely to: become a; permanent method of, settling the majority of disputes which might take place. He .was very pleased indeed to see'tie way in which the unions throughout New Zealand were recognising the benefits of the system and the eervioes of the Conciliation Commissioners. The success of the system depended largely, on the qualifications, tact, and judgment of the commissionjers. \ ■'. i''>'.••

~ "I was' very pleased to see that in Dunedin this time' a two-days' sitting of the Arbitration Court completed the whole of the Dun-edin-business. This was 'a. great improvement on what formerly existed .when. .from, eight to ten days were occupied ia hearing disputes.";: •. ■•.;.:■: .«,-■;:;/■ Tbefact that the Judge of Court had so little work in front of him that he. could take. Supreme Court work in-Wel-lington shows that the Court will overtake all arrears of work. With breaches of awards being dealt with by ibagistrates, and : the services rendered by commissioners in settling disputes, there will'be no fear in future that the Court will not be able to take the disputes referred to it at a very early date after receiving notice thereof.