LABOR LEGISLATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 179, 6 August 1901, Page 3

LABOR LEGISLATION.

A DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIES. UNIONISTS SHOULD ACT WITH GREAT CIRCUMSPECTION. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Wellington, last night. A deputation, representing several unions, waited on the Premier to-night with proposals, which, if put into j effect would, they considered, help to better the working of labor legislation. The deputation suggested that dis- I putes should be heard in central places only. Associations of unionists should bo organised in each district, and delegates appointed for the centres and sub-districts to represent the unionists before the Hoard, and that the representatives of such associations should be given free passes on the railways of the colony.

The Premier, in his reply, made some general remarks as to the working of the system now in vogue. He had, he said, good reason for recently saying that if things went on as they were doing there would be a breakdown. Ho had received a telegram from Auckland stating that four hundred peoplo had been cited in one case there. That was riding the thing to death, and was altogether unnecessary. Again, the same evidence was repeated in case.s ad nauseam, and business boards wore clogged by unnecessary repetitions which seriously affected the employers and employed. The result was that both sides were getting sick of it all. He was sorry that these things were happening, because they had a tendency to in-

jure what ho considered beneficent legislation. If the Arbitration Court did not get its work squared up they would have to appoint an additional judgo. That was the plain English of the present position. Again, employers did not want to bo everlastingly in a turmoil. There was difficulty in making an award over whole districts, as the conditions of life varied greatly in places like Wellington and Now Plymouth for instance. Although ho would consider tho point raised, he could not countenance the proposal to give Unionists’ delegates free railway passes, and thought tho Unionists would have to act with great circumspection or they would liavo public opinion against thorn OPINION IN AUCKLAND.

THE MORNING JOURNAL’S CRITICISM. [Special to Times. | Auckland, last night. Tho Promior’a free criticism of tho trend of institutions founded on labor legislation is considered here as another indication of Mr Seddon’s masterly ability in reading the signs of the times. The various arbitration, conciliation, and other boards have become so harassing in tho cities that the condition of things has become most unsettled. Tho following attack upon the Government administration appeared in tho morning journal prior to the declaration made by the Premier :—“ These Conciliation Hoards are very unpleasant affairs at present, and are in exceedingly had odour. Mr Reeves, the father of the Bill, and Mr Seddon, who brought tho law into being, said that only ill very exceptional eases would the Arbitration Court he called in. Conciliation would do tho whole business. Now wo have all the Conciliation Boards in the colony constantly in session. Tho Arbitration Court, in order to give it dignity, was to be presided over by a judge v of the Supreme Court, who could easily 'spare time from his duties on the Supremo * Court bench. But it has been found necessary that a judge should devote himself entirely to tho work ; indeed, another would he appointed were it not that confusion might arise in the decisions, for in these cases the judgo makes the law. Ono would he appointed for the - North Island aud one for tho South Island wore it not that this would result in virtually two Acts. No wonder that Mr Seddon is complaining about the expenditure running up. Tiio other day ho Hared out against the Conciliation Board amidst loud cries of “ Hear, hear ” from his followers. Well, who is to blame? The Scddonians in tho House speak with contempt of the “ hangers on ” and “ guinea-a-day ” men, referring to the honorable chairmen and members of these creations of Mr Seddon. Thd reason why these Boards are unpopular with Mr Seddon and his friends is not far to seek. They have been a great eauso in creating a wave of unpopularity which is surging nil over the colony against Parliament and Ministry. Tho Premier believes that if the Boards ‘tyefe abolished an obstacle would be put irPtthe way of workers obtaining ready means of litigation. That is his mind now. One of his experiments has [failed. Ho finds that the Conciliation Boards are making him unpopular and therefore lie wauts them abolished. Whether or not they aro useful to the workers lie cares very little about.”