Rangitikei Advocate. SATURDAY, JUNE 8. 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8833, 8 June 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate. SATURDAY, JUNE 8. 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

SO far the*present British Ministry, in spite of having an overwhelming majority in the House of Commons, has signally failed in its attempts at legislation. Last year's Education Bill was thrown out by the House of Lords, and the new Irish Council Bill has been contemptuously rejected by the Irish, party before being discussed in the House of Commons. Mr McKenna's supplementry Education Bill has also been dropped, and it seems as if the present Government would be unable to put a single measure of first rate importance on tho Statute Book. For 1908 we are promised a comprehensive Education Bill, and an attempt to deal with the licensing question, basides a numerous list of measures of minor importance. Ministers appear, indeed, to be trying their hands at dealing with all the most pressing questions in turn, and, in spite of the lack of success which has dogged their steps so far, seem determined to load up their programme with new *and contentious measures. The scattered remnant of the Conservative party is torn by internal dissensions as to the leadership, and should not be able to offer any very effective resistance to Government measures; but the House of Lords may always be relied upon to reject ultra-liberal bills, and thus to provide time for the Conservative party to reorganise itself and gain strength from the mistakes of the Liberals. We think that the Government would be wise to attempt one first-class measure only and pusli it on at all costs. Education was first dealt with, and that should be got out of the way before any other proposal is mooted. To attack the licensing question at this stage is absolutely hopeless in face of the powerful combination of vested interests which will be arrayed against any attempt at reform. With a satisfactory Education Bill passed and Mr Haldane's scheme for army reform on the way to success, the Government could foel that something had been accomplished ; but if they continue on thoir present lines the verdict on Sir Henry Oampbell-Bannerman's Ministry seems likely to bo '' too much attempted, nothing done."

IT rnay bo of interest to give a brief description of the constitution of the Wages Boards in Victoria, which Mr Millar proposes to take as model for his new legislation. After various experiments the Victorian Parliament passed in 1903 an Act in which provision was made for tho appointment of special Wages Boards, of not fewer than four 'and not more than ten members, with a chairman, who would remain in office for two years. Half tho members were to be elected by the employors and half by the workers, and the appointment of a chairman rested with the Board, or with the Gov-ernor-in-Council in case the Board took no action. Professor Gossman, we learn, is chairman of the Shirt Board, Mr P. J. Dwyer, P.M., is Chairman of the Tanners' Board,and the Rev. A. R. Edgar, a well-known Methodist, minister, is chairman of the Clothing Board. Tho Rev. B. S. Hughes, an Anglican, is chairman of the Confectioners' Board. The principle adopted is to got, not an export—that is seen from tho uamos quoted—but "a fair-minded, reasonable man who has won public confidence."- If the experts are equally divided in opinion, the chairman lias the deciding voto, but it is said that the rale is for members themselves to come to an agreement. In tho ClothiDg Board determination—it is not called an award—there were 4000 separate items of piecework, and it is said the chairman never had to give a casting voto. Another respect in which the Wages _Board system differs from our plan, is that in the case of the former evidence very rarely has to be callod. The members of the Board are experts in the i

trade under consideraiton, and know all the facts about it of thair own knowledge. i.lf the employees have asked for the Board, they move that a particular rate be fixed." Thou employers submit an amendment or a counter resolution, and discus3ion continues until either agreement is arrived at or the chairman gives his docision. When the determination is made it is gazetted, and .takes effect in about a month. There is a Court of Industrial Appeal, but hitherto only three appeals have been made to it, in two of whiclijthe docision went against the employees and in one it was in their favour. Prom these facts it is clear that if Mr Millar intends to adopt the Victorian system of "Wages Boards, it will not bo merely an amendment of tho Arbitration Act which will be effected. It will bo an entire revolution in the [methods of settling industrial difficulties and a confession that the Act has been a failure.