INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 17

INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION.

AN OMINOUS NOTE.

(FmoM Our Own OoK&Esroirr>XKT.) AUCKLAND, February 5». A writer of Labour notes in the f Herald sounds an ominous note regarding the Arbitration Act. He says the action of; the Waihi Miners and Workers' Union in calling a special meeting of the union to consider a motion to cancel the registration of the union under the Industrial 1 Conciliation and Arbitration Act ie one that calls for the earnest consideration of all unionists. Since the occasion of lihe first award there has been a feeling of discontent and dissatisfaction. The awards have not been favourable to the men, and' it is common talk that if the cancellation of registration was effected far better terms could be obtained. After watching the operations of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act many of our leading unionists are compelled to admit that it is generally a complete failure, and that it is not even an industrial palliative, instead of the panacea that it was thought to be when first introduced. So far as awards have gone, the rise in wages give» has been more than counterbalanced by, the increase in the cost of living. During the ensuing year it is more than probable that other unions will follow the example of the Waihi miners, and troublous times once more ensue in New Zealand -labour circles.