INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 228, 26 September 1929, Page 9

INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS.

UNSTABLE CONDITIONS. . LAND AND UNEMPLOYMENT. ADDRESS TO EMPLOYERS. Factors that are retarding the growth of industry were commented up by Mr. Albert Spencer, president of the Auckland Provincial Employers' Association, in his address to members at to-day s annual meeting. Although there was plenty of free money available, said Mr. Spencer, investors were still shy of risking large sums in industrial enterprises under tie present unstable conditions of arbitration awards, and the "thousand and one petty Government restrictions pertaining to-day." These setbacks were having a far-reaching eftect in restricting industrial expansion. To meet the difficulties of labour and competition many firms had to curtail their staffs. It was urgent that production costs .should be reduced to a more economic level, so that the Dominion could successfully compete with other countries, where conditions were more favourable to manufacturers.

Referring to the world outlook, Mr. Spencer said in Great Britain steady progress had been made to bring pcace and goodwill to the industrial world. The reorganisation of industrial units was a step in the right direction. The general but slow recovery of trade would solve financial and industrial problems which had perplexed the Empire during the past few years, and a brighter future loomed large 011 the horizon.

Unemployment Problem. Touching 011 unemployment, Mr. Spencer said the policy of the Government in raising pay on relief works to the full union rate had encouraged men who were making a living on their own account to apply for work on Government jobs. "In the country men have thrown up their jobs on farms to secure work offered by the Public Works Department," he added. "In the meantime a steady stream of unemployed lias migrated from Australia. This invading army, if not speedily cheeked, will prove a menace, and is already having a serious effect on the workers of New Zealand. All this goes to prove that unemployment cannot be settled by providing relief works and creating new playing grounds which are nonproductive. The only solution, to my mind, is a vigorous, sound encouragement of our secondary industries and a comprehensive national land settlement scheme by utilising our waste Crown lands now lying idle." In connection with land settlement, Mr. Spencer said that if inducement and financial aid were given to suitable settlers there was no reason to doubt that -the Dominion could double its dairy production during the next ten years. Ho\ve\er, full stock-taking of derelict farms was wanted. The unbusinesslike policy of the Massey Government in purchasing farms for subdivision at ridiculously high prices was a dangerous practice, and it was hoped that it would be discontinued by the present administration. The Government would be well advised to utilise the enormous tracts of idle Crown lands, and take over farms that had been abandoned.

Empire Trade. "Trade within <lie Empire" was a good slogan, said Mr. Spencer, and "Buy Xew Zealand Made Goods" was a better one. but both we~c good and essential for the welfare of this country and of Great Britain. England's progress towards economic recovery could be speeded up, he added, by fewer purchases of foreign made goods and increasing support for the- British manufacturer. Xo less important was the plea of the Xew Zealand secondary j industries for the support of the buying public. Probably no question was of more vital importance to the British Empire than the question of migration. The population of the Empire needed to be more evenly distributed. Owing to industrial conditions, surplus labour in the manufacturing centres could no longer be absorbed. To a certain extent, the problem which Britain was facing was parallel to that with which Japan was concerned. Mr. Spencer quoted figures showing the number of unemployed in various districts in Great Britain and the amount of money spent, on their benefit. Unsuitable Immigrants. '"Mistakes have been made in the past in assisting the immigration of a class totally unsuited to this country and its requirements." he said.. . "The onlv typo of immigrant which is of use here" is the type which is prepared to go out on the land." Of education, Mr. Spencer said that the general opinion was that the present system was not only too costly, but had not proved suitable to the' requirements of the country. Those closely in touch with industry maintained that a good primary education was all that was necessary for the artisan. The tendency of secondary, university and even technical training, applied indiscriminately, was probably neither beneficial to the individual nor the community. When education, after it had passed the admittedly essential primary stages, was of a general character, it left the student at a loose end. Annual Report. The 28tli annual report states that the past year had been free from any serious industrial trouble. Eighty-four new members had joined the association, and the roll now stood at 1220. Twenty industrial disputes were handled before the Conciliation Court and Arbitration Court during the' year. A number of disputes was settled in conciliation, but it was noticeable that union assessors were reluctant to come to an agreement which did not increase wages. The basic ratio of wages fixed by the court in 1920 had still been maintained. The financial position had been well maintained, subscriptions amounting to £3404 and office expenditure to £2578.