Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 295, 10 June 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

i\ > J From our Resident Reporter. \ THE ARBITRATION ACT. Stratford, Saturday. The Egmont Club's Parliamentarians on Friday night debated the question of the labor unrest and the cause of it, the bone over which the parties quarrelled . being a short Bill introduced by the Premier (Mr. C. D. Sole) to repeal the Arbitration Act. So much the Opposition was prepared for, hut the leader of the Government surprised them with a j naive proposition to introduce a Con- [ ciliation Bill, under which provision was imade for the settlement of disputes by a conference of direct representatives of employer and employee. The reason for the proposed repeal was the failure of the Arbitration Act to settle labor questions, and the Premier gushed forth an appeal to Parliament to help him to bring "peace and tranquility over this fair land." The most noticeable thing about the debate was the unpreparedness of the leaders, and subsequently complaint was made that the Standing Orders had been flouted by the fact that the Bill had not been circulated among members. Out of this complaint grew a resolution that in future the Bill for Friday's debate be posted in the club not later than Monday in that week. The Arbitration Act and its working seemed almost terra incognita to most of the members, few of whom seemed to be aware of the conditions existing when the measure was first introduced. This, however, did not prevent their making speeches on the question, for or against, whilst "the Government" was twitted < with "pandering to the masses," "angling j for votes," and all the other stock-in- \ trade of the soap-box politician; and j ] there was even heard a bitter complaint i about "the unprincipled methods adopted by the Opposition at the last general election." The Minister of Labor delivered a thoughtful address on the aims of labor, and the ultimate goal, the securing to the worker of the full profits of his labor instead of his effort being expended for the purpose of aggregating wealth in heaps for the benefit of a few. Mr. J. McAllister, in moving that the Bill be read six months hence, said the Opposition appeared to know almost nothing about it, and the Government still less.. The leader of the Opposition was challenged to make this a no-con-fidence motion, but declined. The House divided on the second reading of the Bill, and the Government found itself in a ' minority. Mr. N. J. King, leader of the | Opposition, was called upon to form a j Ministry, and the personnel will be announced at the next session. The House went into committee, with Mr. J. Fredric in the chair. It was decided that in future the House assemble at TsSQ p.m. instead of 8 p.m. Mr. R. McK. Morison was elected i Speaker for Friday's debate. Mr. Mori- J son was for some years Speaker in the 1 Stratford Parliamentary Union, and sue- j cessfully controlled the turbulent spirits / of that day, including some eloquent and 1 emotional members of the Irish party. J

GENERAL. j Dr. Paget has decided to resign his seat on the Borough Council owing to pressure of private affairs. Mr. Richard Dingle is mentioned as likely to stand-, for the vacancy. Dr. Paget has infused a good deal of life and interest into local politics, he has done his duty ably and fearlessly according to his lights, and his retirement is a distinct loss to the town and will be much regretted. The death took place at Midhirst on Friday of Mr. Henry Robertson. He had resided in Midhirst for thirty years, and leaves a wife and grown up family of three sons and six daughters. Mr. K. J. King has made a start with building the municipal band room in Curtis' Avenue, Fenton street. Mr. F. M. Marlowe has been appointed deputy clerk of the court pending the arrival of Mr. W. J. Reeve.