"Arbitration Unsatisfactory.”

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1922, Page 4

"Arbitration Unsatisfactory.”

AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER’S 'OPINION.

SYDNEY, April 19. The opinion that the arbitration system was most unsatisfactory, and should be superseded by industrial tribunals, was expressed in a recent speech by the Prime Minister (Mr Hughes). Air Hughes declared Hint the labour questou was ithe greatest problem fac-' mg Australia. For many years the principle of settling industrial disputes and conditions of wages by Arbitration Courts had been accepted, lie said 1 nfortunately, there was a movement on foot to abolish all methods of settling disputes by recognised tribunals, and to resort to the old methods of strikes and leek-nuts. With this view lie did nut agree. Ile believed that the settlement of disputes by recognised tribunals was the recognition of principles upon which civilisation was progressing. They had set up tribunals to settle international disputes and to prevent war. In the industrial sphere Arbitration Courts endeavoured to protect and do even-handed justice to the different sections of society. He thought that was light, and felt quite sure that the people of Australia would not go hack to the old method of direct action as advocated h v both sides.

In the opinion of Air Hughes, tho present system of Arbitration Courts in Australia was most unsatisfactoiy. 'Tlie much more preferable method of settling industrial disputes would he the substitution of tribunals for Courts of Arbitration. On these tribunals there

should he an equal number of employers and employees, with an impartial chairman, who should not he a lawyer.