Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-06-23
Repairing sinking pipes

that very few from India, China or : pan
get into the country.
Being single blooded British white
people, the New Zealanders have the same
viewpoint OF equity and justice and the
decisions Of their courts are respected
and observed. In 1894 there was estab-
lished court OF arbitration, in which
labor disputes are settled. Inc judge
was then appointed from the Supreme
Court. Now judge is appointed who
is a lawyer with large business expert
ence. Amy employer of labor who wishes
TO have settled any demand on him for
an increase in wages or desires deci-
sion where he wishes to reduce wages
can have cited and brought into court
any union that Is registered in the Do
minion. The employe can have his EN-
ployer brought into court.
The judge Of the court Of arbitration
has sitting with him a man who is
selected to represent the employer and
one who is selected to represent labor
The finding OF any two Is binding with
out appeal IL a union refuses TO &C
cept decision OF the court It's legal
charter is taken away. II an employer
either a corporation or an Individual, re-
fuses to accept decision OF the court
he Is fined. The labor unions can force
employers into court but a union cannot
be forced into court unless 1t is regis
tered for that purpose. SO far there has
been but little trouble in having the de-
cisions of the court carried into effect
because wages have been On the increase
all over the world, as well as In New
Zealand, ever since the court was estab-
lished. The test of the efficiency Of this
arbitration court now is about to be
tried as wages, which during the war
went mp with everything else now must
go down with them or production in
crease The unions may temporarily
block further results from this court by
refusing to register but, Judging from
the spirit Of fairness demonstrated by
the whole people OF New Zealand. on
other questions, they viii find a way of
reaching this one
BUsINE IS OF COURT
GREW SERY FAST.
The business Of the court Of arbitration
grew to such an extent that 1t was found
necessary to settle many cases before they
reached the court, therefore in 1910 the
government. through act of Parliament.
created the board OF Cancellation com
missioner, three In number, one selected
~ IHo employers. another by labor and
the third appointed by the government.
representing the interests of tie people
This board has been able to settle many
disputes and relieve congestion In the
court Of arbitration
The net result of the decisions of the
court OF arbitration has been to fix a
minimum wage for everybody employed
for wages in the Dominion, whether they
belonged to a union or not. However,
1t must be admitted that the system has
protected the weak, prevented unfair
competition by unscrupulous employers,
regulated, standardized and recorded the
wages and working conditions for par
ticular Industries and districts and in
period of rising prices has tended to
minimize the loss suffered by wage earn
ers as a result of the decrease in the
purchasing power of money. In this
respect the arbitration laws have been
beneficial.
The principles Of an eight-hour work
ing day was first adopted by general
practice, and legislation In some cases, in
New Zealand, and now no employer would
think of returning to n longer day. 1t
certainly has worked well and must have
had its influence on lengthening the life
of people, as the white people Of New
Zealand live an average of nine years