ARBITRATION COURT PROCEDURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2193, 24 September 1907, Page 2

ARBITRATION COURT PROCEDURE.

AN IMPORTANT JUDGMENT. Press Association. DUNEDIN, Sepj;. 23. At the Arbitration Court to-day there was an important development in connection with the metal workers’ and engineers’ disputes. Mr. Scott, representing the employers, questioned the validity of the application. He said several employers considered the present the proper time to test the question of proper procedure, as some alteration in this respect was essential. He asked had the matter been brought beforo the Court and Conciliation Board in accordance with the Act. He pointed out that it had been decided to refer the dispute to the Conciliation Board and Arbitration Court, but it had not been referred to the Bcnrd at all. His Honor Mr. Justice Sim agreed that the dispute should have been referred to the Conciliation Board and then to the Arbitration Court. Mr. Breen, representing the workers, contended that the only resolution required was to refer the matter to the Board. This was an application for reference that required to bo filed.. 'Discussion then took place regarding the form on which the application was made. Mr. Breen said that the form used was only the prescribed form supplied him. It had been- used for eight or nine years. His Honor said the dispute must first he referred to the Conciliation Board to give the Court jurisdiction. Mr. Breen: It is referred to the

His Honor: It is referred to the Board. The Board and the Court arc different things altogether. Mr. BTeen said the form was supplied by the Clerk of Awards, but his Honor pointed out that it was used in other parts of the colony. Mr. Breen: Seventy-five per cent, of cases ‘have been referred to the Board in exactly the same form. The Clerk of Awards said he had never supplied such i form as that on which the application was made. The Court, in giving judgment, held that it had no jurisidiction, and the applications were accordingly struck out. Mr. Breen then said the slaughtermen’s dispute was in exactly the same position. His Honor arid the Court would not consider the point unless it was raised.