A.-5.

Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration.

47. The presence of the Chairman and of not less than one-half in number of the other members of the Board, including one of each side, shall be necessary to constitute a quorum at every meeting of the Board subsequent to the election of the Chairman : Provided that in the case of the illness or absence of the Chairman 5 the other members may elect one of their own number to be Chairman during such illness or absence. 48. In all matters coming before the Board the decision of the Board shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present, exclusive of the Chairman, except in the case of an equality 10 of such votes, in which case the Chairman shall have a casting-vote. 49. The Board may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its body, and in no case shall any act of the Board be questioned on the ground of any informality in the election of a member, or on the ground that the seat of any member is vacant, or that any supposed member is incapable 15 of being a member. 50. In any case where the ordinary term of office expires or is likely to expire whilst the Board is engaged in the investigation of any industrial dispute, the Governor may, by notice in the Gazette, extend such term for any time not exceeding one month, in order to enable the Board 20 to dispose of such dispute, but for no other purpose : Provided that all proceedings for the election of the Board's successors shall be taken in like manner in all respects as if such term were not extended, and also that any member of the Board whose term is extended shall be eligible for nomination and election to the new Board. 25 Special Boards of Conciliators. 51. Notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained, it is hereby declared that in any part of New Zealand, whether included in a district or not, and whether a Board of Conciliation has been duly constituted or not, a special Board of Conciliators shall, on the application of either 30 party to the dispute, and in the prescribed manner, be constituted from time to time to meet any case of industrial dispute. 52. All the provisions of this Act relating to a Board of Conciliation, its constitution, election, jurisdiction, and powers, shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to a special Board of Conciliators, subject nevertheless to such 35 modifications as are prescribed, and also to the modifications following, that is to say : — (a.) The Returning Officer shall be appointed by the Governor. (&.) The members of the special Board, who shall be experts in the particular trade under dispute (other than the Chairman), 40 shall, in the prescribed manner, be elected in equal numbers by the employers and industrial unions of employers directly interested in the dispute, and by the industrial unions of workers so interested. (c.) All or any of the members of the special Board may be members 45 of an existing Board of Conciliation. (d.) The members of the special Board shall in each case vacate their office on the settlement of the dispute. Functions and Procedure of Conciliation Boards. 53. Any industrial dispute may be referred for settlement to a 50 Board by application in that behalf made by any party thereto, and with respect to such application and reference the following provisions shall apply :. —

Quorum of Board. 1900, No. 51, sec. 46

Absence of Chairman.

Mode of voting. Ibid, sec. 47

Acts of Board not to be questioned for informality. Ibid, sec. 48

Term of office of Board may be extended if engaged in hearing dispute. Ibid, sec. 49

Special Boards may be created in certain cases. Ibid, sec 50 1901, No. 37, sec. 6

Preceding provisions applied subject to certain modifications. 1900, No. 51, sec 51

Procedure for referenoe of industrial dispute to Board. Ibid, sec 52 1901, No. 37, sec. 8

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