NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1503, 27 July 1912, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

The news that Loud Islington will shortly resign the office of Governor of New Zealand appears to have caught everyone quite unprepared. -'No one apparently had the slightest idea that his Excellency was likely to leave the Dominion until his term of office expired in the usual way, and his appointment to a new position which he will bo called on to occupy early next year came as something of a shock. "While congratulating Lord Islington on the distinction conferred on him by his appointment to the Presidency of the important Commission , which is to inquire into the Indian Public , Services, it is only right that we should also express our sense of the deep obligation under which he has placed the Dominion by agreeing to remain hcro_ until December next. In tho existing stato of politics it was extremely desirable that the Vice-Regal office should be filled by a representative of the Crown entirely detached from our local interests as well as being soundly grounded in , constitutional questions. Many matters may arise during the next few months which will rest for final decision with the Gov-' ernor, and in the circumstances ever/one must feel that the continuedpresence here of Lord, Islington during this somewhat critical period affords good reason for congratulation, it is probable that his Excellency's successor will be apfiointed without any unnecessary deay so he should have ample time to' reach New Zealand about the time that Lord Islington will be leaving us.

The Employers' Association in its annual report discusses the Arbitration Act very much on the lines of the views it has expressed on> previous occasions; It apparently wants the. Act continued in force, bui it would like to see it strengthened in certain material particulars. The association—or perhaps it would be more correct to say the Committee of the Association—believes that thp Act requires amendment, but seemingly prefers it, even with its faults, to a system which would leave both parties to a dispute to act as they, pleased. And yet the Committee's report makes out a very good case cither for the abandonment of the Act or its complete. reconstruction. In seeking to introduce the provisions of the Canadian Disputes Act which provide for substantial penalties in the event of a.strike taking place without one months i notice being given, the Employers' Association is asking for an extension of the . principle set forth in pur own Act in relation to certain special trades affecting food supplies, means of transit, etc. But what will bo the use of this or any other amendment if the unions go on cancelling registration under the Act? No tribunal probably' will ever bo found wholly satisfactory bo all parties, but there is some hope of securing a fair percentage of amicable settlements where the parties are represented at a conference by workers and employers engaged in the particular calling in which tho dispute has arisen. These meetings under tho presidency of some suitable person who' will merely act as chairman, without any power to vote, are more likely to arrive at a satisfactory understanding, than if the matter is fought out between outsiders who know' littlo or nothing of the technicalities of a dispute. A few _ days ago we briefly sketched our idea of the procedure which should be followed, and which incidentally would do away with the present, method of having one Supreme Court Judge! solely occupied with Arbitration Act matters. One of the most certain safeguards against unreasonable strikes would bp to amend the law iri the direction of providing that no union shall decido the question of whether or not its members shall' go out on strike save by a secret ballot. At the present time men too often vote not as their judgment or sense of justice dictates, but as their fear of baing regarded 'as "scabs" compels them.' They thus often bring hardships and suffering on many innocent people from most unworthy motives.

It is very pleasing to note the decision of the Federal Government in the matter of old ago pensions for New Zcalanders' now living in Australia. Any movement calculated to draw the two countries closer together—provided that it docs not interfere with the independent control by each of their own internal affairs—is _deserving_ of encouragement, and it is especially gratifying to note the open-handed manner iu which the Commonwealth Government has approached the subject on the present. occasion. Apparently Australia intends to act first and to hope for reciprocal treatment on the part of New Zealand later on. It is impossible of course to say off-hand exactly what the effect of the proposed_ arrangement would be; but we are inclined to the opinion that attractive as it may seem from the point of view stated above, it possesses material drawbacks which, on closer investigation, may make it impracticable. No doubt the new Government will give the matter its consideration.

Amongst tlie many matters requiring the attention of the new Government is the question of Legislative Council reform. It is hardly likely that anything can be accomplished in this direction during the coming session, but it will- be necessary for Mn. Massfa' to make a certain number of appointments to the Upper House to provide support for the member of the Ministry, there. It is quite probable that some of the large body of Councillors nominated by the Continuous Ministry will bo found voting for and a^sis.^

ing with the measures brought forward by the new Government, but the number Actually in sympathy with the Reform Government might bo counted on the fingers of one hand. Mn. Bell, as Leader of the Council, will, we have not the least doubt, prove, a very weighty force, far more weighty in fact than any leader it has had in recent times, but ho cannot be expected to carry so licavy a burden as would be entailed if he were left without assistance. How many new Councillors the Government will consider it necessary to appoint \yo do not profess to know; but we should imagine that at least from six to a dozen will be required. If there is to be any representation at all worthy the name on the various Committees of the Council, the larger number should really be the minimum, and even then the total of the new Councillors would represent but a Email proportion of the whole Council.