DESTRUCTIVE DISPUTES

Chronicle (Levin), 10 June 1947, Page 7

DESTRUCTIVE DISPUTES

-Press . Association

Labour President Appeals To Commonsense

By Teiegrapn-

WELLINGTON, June 9. "We have not been able to solve the problem of industrial unrest and industrial disputes which may have the effieet of dqstroying all that has been accomplished," said Mr. James Roberts in his presidential address to the New ^Zealand Labour Party conference today.' Mr. Roberts criticised the daily newspapers , for space r given towhat he describcd as minor disputes but contended that this country had had fewer stoppages and less industrial trouble during and since the war, than any other country. The Labour movement in New Zealand, he said, had a very definite responsibility 011 this question. He aslted whether the confe^ence eould not establish a organisation or methpd whereby any rea] grievances- which might , exist, could not be adjusted without recoui'se to lockouts or strikes. ' ' If we want peace abroad, ' ' said Mr. Roberts, "our first job is to establish harmony at home and there is no logical reason why this cannot he accomplished. If we can demonstratt that we can have peace and harmony. full employment and high living standards in New Zealand and that thc Labour Government has brought this into being, we can offer the real basis for internal harmony and international

peace. "While questions affecting industri i> matters are the functions of the Federation of Labour, the -fact remains that we are willy nilly involved when industrial disputes of 'any magnitudc take place." ' > After saying that the Governmen'. had, by its administration, overconn • many economic problems and had given to the people the highest living stand ards in the world, Mr., Roberts com mented that the problem o industria. unrest and disputes had not been solved. ' "He said: "Cannot this conference be a meeting house where we can consider this question calmly and apply our lntemgence so rnat tne common prohlem can he solved- in a conrtnon1 sense manner? Can we establish an organisation or method by which any real grievances whicb may exist can he adjusted without recourse of lock outs or strikes? The Government ha already provided means by which mosi industrial disputes can be adjusted ancto the ordinary person it would appea that the commonsense thing to d' would he to utilise those avenues, fo the experience has been that even whei. direct action is takeii, - negotiation: between employers- and Workers must take place hefore 4 dispute is settled.' Dealing with international politics Mr. Roberts said it was not right tha' conditions and methods by which worli peace shall be established should be'^de eided by three or four nations. Tht smaller nations were entitled to a voic( and vote on important internationa. questions and there Were-* few who no\* disagreed with Mr. Fraser s common sense proposals.