New-York tribune., 1898-10-17
COUPI LSORY ARBITRATION.

Comnulsorv arbitration in disputes between
EMPLOYERS and employees is in operation in
New Zealand: and. according to Edward Tre-
oeor tbc Secretary of Labor in that country,
who writes about It in "The Independent" 1t
gives nromisc of working well. NewIealand
* a little larger than the State Of Colorado, and
in 1891 had a population of 62S,6oS. There are
only four towns having population of more
than 10000 Agriculture and mining are the
principal pursuits, and all persons, either male
or female over twenty-one years old who nave
n freehold estate Of f25 value are entitled 10
vote for members Of the Legislature. In New
Zcaland. therefore, many of the conditions that
make the labor problem difficult Of adjustment
in other countries are absent. 1t has no large
cities with alien and congested masses OF people
II has few manufactures Its population is
largely rural and homogeneous. with few rich
men. and its suffrage law makes It's govern
mcnt quickly responsive to the wishes OF the
people. For these reasons. If compulsory arbi'
tration is TO succeed anywhere, il ought TO sue
cepd in Npw-Zcaland.
When a labor dispute arises it is first brought
before n local Board Of Cancellation. and in case
that body fails To settle il ii then goes before
the Cour, of Arbitration Mr.. Tregcar gives no
information
bodies. but presumably il is acceptable 10 work
ingmen: for he says that all labor disputes are
brough, to them, ard their decisions are ac-
cepted by both parties in the controversy. lhe
Boards OF Cancellation are composed OF masters
and men in equal numbers. with chairman
supnosed 10 he impartial The presumption Is
that such boards. if properly chosen. VIII de-
eide with wisdorI and justice. But the weak
point in the system lies In the fact that they
have no power TO enforce their decisions; they
can only recommend. Consequently much time
is wasted by disputans taking cases To the
higher Court of Arbitration which are properly
decided by the local Boards To meet this DIM
Guilty IL has been proposed TO pass an act CIV
Ing the local Boards power To enforce their de
cisions if all the members Of the Board. TO-
pcthcr with the chairman, are unanimous In
their recommendation. and provided both
parties 10 the dispute accept the decision. But
II Is doubtful II such an act Will pass the iegis
lature as IL would settle no disputes that can
not be settled now: for. If the Board OF CON
cilatiOn Is unanimous in its decision, and both
the disputants accept 1t, no further question
can be raised.
The General Court OF Arbitration consists Of
two persons. one of whom is elected by the
trades unions ana one by the employers asso-
cations and its president Is judge OF the Su-
preme Court, who can exact from a contestant
union or from an employer penalty not ex-
cceding $500. should the terms of the award be
violated. And in case Il penalty is imposed on
n des-union which has no money to pay it,
each individual member of such union Is liable
to the extent of TO To show practically
how the court works. Mr.. Tregear gives in full
It's decision in recent dispute between the
Chrstchurch Builders Association and the
Ainalgamated Society of Carpenters. decision
which is binding for two years. Among other
things the minimum wage Is put nj ten shilllngs
a day: forty-four hours constitute weeks
work. that is 10 say. eight hours day for hye
days and four hours on saturday: extra wages
must he paid for overtime and for work on holi-
avs: men sent to country Job shall be- con
ycyed or have their travelling expenses and