A CURIOUS POSITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2215, 12 June 1908, Page 2

A CURIOUS POSITION.

THE FARM LABORERS’ DISPUTE

CONCILIATION BOARD’S REPORT

(Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 11. Mr. Minson, Chairman of the Canterbury Conciliation Board, has sent the following telegram to the President of the Arbitration Court in reply to one received relative to the Board’s failure to present its report on the farm laborers’ dispute: “In reply to your telegram received yesterday, the" Board of Conciliation has neither refused nor desired to refuse to complete the work referred' to it, hut the Department did not grant the neces>arv time, nor even the month allowed "by the Act. Notwithstanding that," I understand the Court now directs the Board to proceed with its report and recommendations. The Board will meet to-morrow to consider the curious position. The members of the Canterbury Conciliation Board' will be sworn in before Mr. Justice Denniston to-mor-row morning. A meeting of the Board will be .held later to consider the telegram received yesterday by the Chairman from the Clerk of the Arbitration Court. Air. W. .Minson. Chairman of the Canterbury Conciliation Board, when seen by. a representative of the “Press’’ regarding the matter contained in the telegram from the At-... bitration Court relative to tile farm laborers’ dispute report, .and asked if he would say anything regarding it, said that he did not see that he could say anything on the subject. Asked if it was his intention to call the Board to consider tlio position, Mr. Minson said that ho could not say whether or not he would do so. . The present .position pf the Board is somewhat peculiar. It is contended that the Board to which the case was referred by the Arbitration Court, and which head'd the evidence in it, no •longer exists, its term having expired on the 31st of last month, mien the extension of time granted nan out it could only have continued its existence if its term of office had been further extended, but of course the Board did not see fit to .apply for a further extension of time. Another alleged complication is that the. members of the new Board (which consists of the members of the old Board) •' have not yet-been sworn in, although they have been gazetted. It is understood, however ,that the new Board will be sworn in before the end of the present week, .as there is a lengthy list to [be dealt with bv the Court at its sittings in this city," commencing next week. lit is contended that it .would be quite possible for ■ the Board, if it sets to work, to prepare its report before the other cases set down are disposed of.