EMPLOYERS CONFER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3566, 28 September 1916, Page 2

EMPLOYERS CONFER.

ANNUAL MEETING OF

FEDERATION.

Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 27. Tho annual meeting oi: the New Zealand Employers' Federation was hold to-day. The report stated, that owing to tho necessities of tho war having fully occupied the attention of Parliament there had been no attempt to introduce labour legislation, nor had there been any industrial disturbances of a.ny magnitude. There was no decrease in the number oi disputes dealt with by the Conciliation Councils .and Arbitration Court. Claims during the year exceeded those of tho 1914-15 period, tho lead given by the Court regarding a war bonus having been followed by many employers. Indications are that during tho continuance of the war they will bo considerably fewor in number. The Advisory Board met the Defence Department regarding the holding of Territorial camps and after reviewing the whole position decided that it was inadvisable to raise objection. Tho Department did everything possible to minimise inconvenience to employers and no complaints w'cro received. Owing to the war no organising work had been undertaken, but after tho war the need for combination would bo more than ever apparent. " Both here and in Australia there is a small but extremely dangerous number of men who aro apparently determined to seize every opportunity as it offers to promote antagonism between employers and workers."

The president, Mr T. Shailer Weston, referred to the brighter war prospects now opening out before tho#Ailies. It might be that big efforts would yet have to be made, but he believed that with determination by all parts of the Empire there could bo only one result. It would depend upon tho people after the war to see that tho factors which had promoted victory were utilised to the fullost extent. After reference to the importance of education, particularly in economics, the president congratulated the various associations on tho manner in which they had maintained their strength and upon their loyalty to the federation, They were never stronger than at present and there was complete harmony between tho association and the executive.

Tho'annual'report was adopted. Officers were elected as follow:— President, Mr T. Shailer Weston (reelected) ; vice-president, Mr T-. Ballinger; treasurer, Mr H. Coull; trustees, Messrs W. H. Bennett, A. E. Pearco, C M. Luke and W. A. Flavell; parliamentary oommittoe, members of the Advisory Board and Messrs S. S. Kirkcaldie, A. C." Mitchell, J. Beveridge, H. F. Allen and C. Cathie; auditor, Mr W. C. Stephens, F.P.A. (re-elected) It was decided that the publication of the industrial bulletin should bo continued. :

It was decided to recommend tho Industrial Union of Employers to nomir nate Mr William Scott as employers' representative and Mr William Pryor as deputy-representative on tho Arbitration Court.

It was resolved that tho Government should be urged to take up the matter of tho organisation of science, in its relation to industry and education. It was unanimously decided that the Government should.,be urged to take immediate action ' for regulation of enemy trade after the war.