CONCILIATION. — In order to preve...t and settle disputes between employers and workmen by conciliation or arbitration, provision is made by the Conciliation Act, 1896, for the establishment of Boards of Conciliation. Such a board would be an association or body authorised by an agreement in writing made between employers and workmen to deal with disputes of the above character. A board of conciliation should be registered with the Board of Trade, which keeps a register of boards of conciliation, and elite's therein the name and principal office of each registered board. Any regis tered conciliation board is entitled to have its name removed from the register on sending to the Board of Trade a written application to that effect ; but the Board of Trademay remove froin the register, without application, the name of a conciliation board which has ceased to exist or act. Every regis tered conciliation board is required to furnish such returns, reports of its pro ceedings, and other documents as the Board of Trade may reasonably require.
If it appears to the Board of Trade that in any district or trade adequate means do not exist for having disputes submitted to a conciliation board for the district or trade, they may appoint anv person or persons to inquire into the conditions of the district or trade, and to confer with the employers and employed. And if the Board of Trade think fit they may confer with any local authority or body as to the expediency of establishing a conciliation board for the district or trade.
Powers of Board of Trick rrs to Trade Disputes.—Where a difference exists or is appieheuded between an employer, or any class of employers, and workmen, or between different classes of workmen, the Board of Trade may, if they think fit, exercise all or any of the following powers, namely : (a) Inquire into the causes and circumstances of the difference ; (6) take such steps as to the Board may seem expedient for the purpose of enabling the parties to the difference to meet together, by themselves or their representa tives, under the presidency of a chairman mutually agreed upon or nominated by the Board of Trade or by sonic other person or body, with a view to the amicable settlement of the difference ; (c) on the application of employers or workmen interested, and after taking into consideration the existence and adequacy of means available for consideration in the district or trade, and the circumstances of the case, the Board may appoint a person or persons to act as conciliator or as a board of conciliation ; (d) on the application of both parties to the difference, the Board may appoint an arbitrator. If any person
is so appointed to act as conciliator, he must inquire into the causes and cir cumstances of the difference brcommunication with the parties. and otherwise must endeavour to bring %bout a settlement of the difference, and must report his proceedings to the Board of Trade. If a settlement of the difference is effected either by conciliation or by arbitration, a memorandum of the terms thereof is required to be drawn up and signed by the parties or their repreentatives, and a copy thereof delivered to and kept by the Board of Trade.
Arbitration Act,1889, does not apply to the settlement by arbitration of any difference or dispute to which the Conciliation Act, 1896, applies. Any arbitration proceedings under the hitter Act are to be conducted in accordance with such of the provisions of that Act, or such of the regulations of any conciliation board, or under such other rules and regulations as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties to the difference or dispute. See TRADE DISPUTES.