THE INDUSTRIAL CONCILIATION

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 164, 23 September 1892, Page 6

THE INDUSTRIAL CONCILIATION

BILL. The Hon. W. P. Reeves’ Industrial Conciliation Bill has been well received bj' the House. It is a well and carefully devised piece of legislation, likely to be of considerable service to the country. Its object is to prevent violent friction between employers and employed and provides a legal and sensible method of settling- any disputes that may arise between such. Only registered Unions and Associations of employers and employed can take advantage of the Bill as it would be impossible to settle awards amongst a number of units under no head or authority. Pint 1 provides for the registration of Unions and Associations and renders all members of registered Unions subject to the provisions of the Act, rules of the Union, and Awards of Court under the Act. Provision is made for the formation of Boards of Conciliation for each provincial district, which Boards shall consist of not mor e tkan six, nor less than four, persons, chosen by Unions of employers and employed, and will hold office for three years.. The Board will elect a Chairman outside of themselves and he shall also hold office for three years. Matters in dispute may be referred to the Board of Conciliation for the district by either the Union of employers or that of the employed If the Board be unable to bring about a conciliation between the parties it will decide the matter, or refer it to the Court of Arbitration, This Court, of which there shall only be one for the Colony, is to consist of three members, one of whom will be chosen from fouinames recommended by the councils of the Unions of employers, and ono from four persons selected by the councils of the Unions of employees. These two members will be appointed by the Governor ; the remaining member, who will bo President, will bo appointed by the Governor, but without recommendation, and must be an impartial person unconnected with any trade or industry. The members of the Court of Arbitration will hold office for three years. No lawyer will be permitted to appear before either Board or Court. The public servants employed on the Government Railways may through their Society avail themselves of the provisions of the Act.