Deputation to the Hon. J. McGowan.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 149, 7 January 1902, Page 3

Deputation to the Hon. J. McGowan.

0 Thames, January 4. At a deputation of the Thames Minors' Union to the Hon. J. McGpwan, Mr O'Keefe, the President, urged the removal of Mr Justice Cooper as chaiiman of the Arbitration Oourt. The miners had no confidence in him, and they thought, and the speaker was of the same opinion, that, the influence of Auckland companies had something to do with the decisions of ' the Judge. The Judge had been brought up amongst them, and had been hand in glove with Mr Rhodes, of the Waihi Company, and the solicitor for the companies cited, and the speaker would not hesitate to say that he had not been an impartial Judge. He had lowered the standard of wages from 8a to 7s 6d in Coromandel, and from 9s to 8s at Barrier, and had given an impetus to the shielding of Sunday labour.

The Minister in reply said that the stateraentj made by Mr O'Keefe formed a very serious charge against a Supreme Court Judge, and Mr McGow&n was vory sorry to hear the reiiiu,rks passed. He regretted to hear that the opinion of Mr Justice Cooper's capabilities as President of tha Arbitration Court was aa detailed by Mr O'Keefe. In his opinion the adverse comments were not deserved. It often happened that when a case was taken to Court those against whom the judgment of the court was passed —the parties who had not succeeded —blamed the Court and not themselves. So far as he was concerned, he could tell them plainly that he had no intention of endeavouring to remove Mr Justice Cooper from the position of Presideut of the Arbitration Court, or to give any encouragsment to the views v expressed by Mr O'Keefe. "He believed that Mr Ju3tieeCooper was' actuated by the highest motives. The safety and rights of 'the community depended upon the removal of the Court from anything approaching political influence or interference.