THE ARBITRATION COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 6, 8 January 1902, Page 2

THE ARBITRATION COURT.

REMOVAL OF JUDGE OOOPBR URGED. PBB PBBSS ASSOCIATION Thames, January 6. At a deputation of tho Thamei Miners' Union to the Hoc J. MoGowan, Mr O'Eeefe (president) urged the removal of Judge Cooper as chair-' man of the Arbintion Court. The miners, he said, bad no oonfidenoe in him, and they thought (and th» speaker was of the same opinion) that the influence of the Auckland companies bad something to do with the decisions of tbe Judge. The Judge bad been brought up amongst them; had been hand in glove with Mr Rhodes, of the Waihi Company; had been solicitor for tbe companies oited; and the speaker would not hesitate to say that he had not been an impartial judge. He had lowered the standard of wages from 8s to 7s fld in Ooromandbl, and from da to 8s at the Barrier. He, had given an impetus to the shielding of Sunday labour.

The Minister said that the statements made by Mr O'Keefe formed a very serious charge to make against a Supreme Court Judge. He wa<s sariy to hew the remarks passed, and regret'ed to' hear that the opinion of Jud,ge Cooper's oap abilities as president of the Arbitration Court were as detailed by Mr O'Keefe. In bis opinion, the adverse comments parsed were not deserved. It often happened that when I a case was taken to the Court, those Against whom the judgment of the Court was passed (the parties who. had not succeeded) blamed the Court and not themselves. Sp f*r aa he was concerned, be could tell them plainly that he had no intention of endf avouring to | remove Judge Cooper from the position of pr silent of the Arbitration Court, or to give any encouragement to the views expressed by Mr Q'Keefe. He believed that Judge Go'per was actuated by the highfat motives. The s<ife'y an,d rights of the community depended upon the removal of the Co irts from anything approaching political influence or iotorfereuw,