POLITICAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1469, 1 June 1905, Page 3

POLITICAL.

THE PREMIER'S TOUR,

I (Pom Press Association.) Dunedin, last night. Speaking at Kaitaogata to day to a miners’ deputation the Premier said ha was informed that tho Arbitration Court would shortly overbake its arrears of work, and when it had doDe so ho was sure tho

delay that had taken plaoe in giving

awards would bo a thing of fha past. If the delay oontinuos he would ask Parliament to set a Court for each Island. The Premier loft for .Lawrence this morning by special train. On arrival at Milton he was accorded a hearty reception and agreed to deliver an address, but' afterwards wired to the Mayor that timo would not permit. Despite the rain a large crowd awaited the Premier’s arrival at Kaitangata, where he was welcomed by the Mayor and representatives of the Liberal Labour Federa tion, and a miners’ deputation interviewed the Premier on local matters. Representatives of the Coal Minors’ Union desired an amendment to the Workers’ Compensation for Accidents Act, to give fixed sum to the next of kin in case of death. The Premier said the miners might onter a mine and be killed next day. If the amount were fixed arbitrarily there would be a heavy liability on part of the mine owners who had received no profit from the man’s labor. He suggested that a minimum might bo fixed, as a man’s life was worth so much. He would consider the matter in that light. The deputation asked for an amendment to the Arbitration Act to [ make proceedings in filing a dispute as simple as possible. The Premier said the point came up in a recent decision in Auck land. The matter of confirming mightperhaps lead to inaonvenience and delay, and an amendment might be wanted, but where the matter was of moment to the whole of the members they ought to have opportunity of confirming. He believed it was a good thing to giye men a chance of thinking over any important decision arrived at. The question of compulsory preference to Unionists was brought up and discussed. The Premier thought that the matter had best be left, to the Court. The public wanted to be educated up to compulsory preference, and he suggested one of the first they should convert was their own member, James Allen