The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1927. ARBITRATION ADMINISTRATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1927. ARBITRATION ADMINISTRATION.

For long. time there lms been much talk of amending the Arbitration Act. The measure has been blamed and praised alternately till the public opinion seemed ripe for some reconsideration of the matter. And so we have an amending Dill before Parliament. The principle of the original measure as to the course of arbitration is not changed, but the machinery is very much altered. The changes in important respects are very considerable, and the new Dill is going to prove a highly controversial measure. At the outset the amending measure may he regarded as something of an attempt to conciliate that section of the general public, which is most strongly opposed to the Arbitration system. For tbc employers in the rural industries have been loudest in their protests against the Arbitration Court and its rulings, and the most important and startling feature of the Dill is that it proves to exempt a farming industry—including “all agricultural, pastoral, and dairying operations” and dairy factories—from the jurisdiction of the Court. Tt is hardly necessary to add that the Labour party have fastened at once upon this feature of the Bill, and are preparing to resist it to the utmost. No doubt Mr Coates will receive enthusiastic votes of approval from rural organisations for bis scheme. But, as Mr Holland remarked last night, if the Premier approves of the Arbitration Act as a means of settling industrial disputes, it is not very easy to justify his decision to exclude rural industries from its operation. Tf this Bill goes through, there will be nothing left to the rural industries for the adjustment of differences hut strikes and lock-outs. But the proposed change has a far more serious side. Because it is admittedly difficult to organise rural workers and to secure reasonable wages and conditions of labour for them by means of “collective bargaining,” therefore the Arbitration Court has specially important functions to perform on their behalf. Hitherto the Court has had the power to make an award or to refuse to make one; and in respect of general farm workers it refused, because in the Court’s opinion conditions were unsuitable. Now. however, there is to Ik l no-discretion. Rural workers, including classes who have worker! under Arbitration Court awards are to he left entirely to the mercies of unrestricted competition so far as the fixation of wages is concerned : and this at a time when the rural labour supply has been increased hv the importation of large numbers of immigrants anxious to find employment on any terms. Regarding arbitration as right in principle, it does not appear the proper course to fake that means of settlement out of the hands of those concerned. There seems only conciliation available hut that fails so often. There should lie certainly some fair consideration in the matter of pay and there will be a demand for something—a basic wage perhaps. The fact that the Conciliation Council is to remain untouc-hed is so far satisfactory, hut having established a certain system, that system can hardly continue to work satisfactorily if the machinery bo seriously dislocated. For that reason there will be much opposition in Parliament and out of it to the proposals as referred to aliove. As to the constitution of the Arbitration Court, that also will excite as much discussion, though perhaps not as strong opposition.” The wisdom of a single judge will be appreciated in many ways, and

there lias been much to recommend it on different occasions, Tet, in technical disputes, outside help is necessary, and thorehavc been utterances by the President of the- Court appreciating the value of the aid given him by his co-adjudicators. 'I here is this to be. said, that Mr Justice Fra/.er lias now had such experience at the post, that ho is excellently cpialiiied to carry on alone, hut the difficulties will an.se when a. successor lias to he chosen in his place There is one other notable phase of the amendments proposed likely to excite much opposition, namely the proposal to extend payment b\ tesiilts in the wages system. This will arouse vehement controversy in tunic union circles, and the clause is not likely to have an easy passage. On the other hand much will he heard ol the American system and ol the rewards for labor in that country so often held up as the ideal for big wages and big production.