AWARD EXEMPTIONS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 154, 25 March 1939, Page 12

AWARD EXEMPTIONS

Court Of Arbitration’s Policy Stated

"The Court will not in any circumstances change its policy and will not make alterations without cogent reasons. In other words, the onus is on the union in such cases as this to prove that there has been any definite change in conditions,” said Mr. Justice O’Regan in the Court of Arbitration yesterday in dealing witli applications'for exemption by several parties from the New Zealand (except westland) Plumbers’ and Gasfitters’ Award. For the employers Mr. D. I. Macdonald (Christchurch) asked that all the present exemptions should be tenewed. Mr. IT. J. Bishop made an application on behalf of the Colonial Sugar Refining Coy, the Auckland Transport Board and all freezing company's all of which bad existing exemptions. Mr. K. Beeford appeared for the Union Steam Ship Coy Ltd., and the Wellington Patent Slip Company seeking exemption. The applications were opposed by Mr. 11. Thompson, advocate for the workers. A ruling was sought by Mr. Ltshop from the Court on its attitude to exemptions. "I have a distinct recollection that this matter was very fully argued on a previous occasion. lam also aw ate, though T have no personal knowledge of it. that it was fully argued before Mr. Justice Page.” said his honour. The matter had given the Court a great, deal of trouble and had occupied considerable time, said his Honour. He made it clear that the onus was on the union to prove definite changes in conditions to the Court to substantiate its objection to exemptions.