SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20001, 28 July 1939, Page 14

SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

BETTER METHODS SOUGHT MINISTER’S ASSURANCE AIM OF GOVERNMENT * (Per Pr«ss Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. The Government’s concern about the need for improvement of the existing mechanism for dealing with indjUo'trial disputes, was expressed today by the Minister of Justice, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, when replying to a deputation representing the national council of the New Zealand Labourers' Federation, which waited upon him in reference to the builders’ and general labourers award and the operation of the Arbitration Court. The Minister said the Government would use its best endeavours to devise some means of effecting improvements. The Minister said the question whether something in the nature of appeal from the Arbitration Court’s should 'be brought in was interesting and would be considered by the Government in tiryihg to devise an improvement in the existing system. He agreed that there should be consistency between awards and that one should be harmonious with the other. Commenting on the allegations of Mr. P. M. Butler, secretary of the Labourers’ Federation, on the apparent immunity with which sections of the press and others could comment prejudicially on matters before tire court, the Minister said the matter would be investigated. He would also lock into the complain; by Mr. Butler regarding the alleged intimidation of a witness who gave evidence for the union before the ccur,. Referring to the question of workers and strikes, Mr. Mason said that strikes might be instituted under great .provocation, bu; he could not agree with the piroposi.ii.on that the existence of a sitrike showed that the provocation was great. It was known hat loyalty among workers might cause a. strike to spread where the original reason for it was microscopic. “The proposition that every strike justifies itself, cannot be admitted for a moment,” iMr. Mason said.