THr FLAXMILLERS’ AWARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 477, 7 September 1909, Page 2

THr FLAXMILLERS’ AWARD.

Thk recent interpretation of the Flaxmillers’ Award will have a far reaching effect upon almost every branch of industry. If Judge Sim’s interpretation is upheld by the Higher Court to which it will be referred, then labour organisations will receive the biggest set-back they have yet known. It is too soon to speculate whether the innovation will bring industrial peace or war. From what we can gather locally the Flaxmills’ Employees Union are not going to let the matter rest and as it concerns almost every industrial union of workers, combined action is anticipated. From the workers point of view the signs are ominous. Mr W. Pryor, secretary of the Employers’ Federation, who is at present in was waited uj>on by a representative of the Stratford Post on Friday night for an expression of opinion on the subject. He said/the interpretation was far-reaching and important. In the first place, Mr | Pryor considered it would mean the salvation of the flax-milling industry in the Wellington district, but beyond that it would also have far-reaching effects in any industry to which the con- J

tract system was applicable, inasmuch as it clearly aHi r meet the principle that Hie establishment of the relation of employer and contractor, instead of master and servant, released the parlies thereto from the provisions of any award. Therefore in any industry to which the contract system can be applied, when a bona fide contract establishing Hie relation of employer and contractor has been entered into, the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court, and the parlies to the contract are not bound by the provisions of any existing a waul. Mr Pryor himself does not hesitate to describe it as one of, if not the most impoitanl interpretations ever made in the Arbitration Court. A point well worth mentioning in connection with the judgment quoted above is that it was on the advice of Mr Pryor that the Manavvatu Flaxmillers’ Association proceeded with its case, notwithstanding that a very eminent legal light had given as his opinion that the Association had no prospect of succeeding in the Con it.