INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 667, 18 November 1909, Page 8

INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS.

EMPLOYERS' CONFERENCE. THE AEBITRATION ACT. The-seventh iannual conferonco of the Now Zealand Employers' Federation was opened yesterday inonung m/tho'Topms of the Wellington Employers' Association, Woodward Street. Mr. W. G. Foster (Wellington) presided, and was supported by tho Hon C. M. Luke, M.L.C. (vice-president), Mr, W. n. Bennett (trustee), and Mr B A. Scott (treasurei). The following delegates also answered to tho roll-call —Auckland—Messrs. D. Goldie, J. Miller, C. Ithodns, T. Hodgson, and C Grosvenor N Taranaki—Mr. H. Goodacre. Hawke's BayMessrs, n G. Warron and S E. Wright Wangawn—Messrs Lloyd Jones and G. Caiman Manawatu—Messrs A. E. Bennett, R. S Abraham, and W. M'Kenzic Wairampa—Messrs, C. E. Darnell and John Hunter. Wellington— Messrs. W. Hopkirk, T Balhngor, J. Godbor, S. S. Williams, C. M Banks, and W A

!W. Grenfoll. Canterbury—Messrs P. L HalTonstein, F. W. Hobbs, K. V England, and H (Broadhead. West ! Coast-Mr. E G. Pilcher. 'Nelson-Mr. H. Conll. South Canter•bury.—Mr. -j Bascand. t North Otago— Sir. It. -Milhgan. Otago—Messrs J. C /Thomson and It. Chisholm. Southland— jufr. S. Craig. Boefton s Mine Owners—Mr. S. • jL. P. Free. * New Zealand Shipowners' T>dxerabon—Mr. W. E. Fuller. Paparoa Coalmin,lD.g Comnany-ilossrs J. P Maxwoll and G. i<lownseud. National Dairy Association— Q&lt. A. M'Farlane Now Zealand Flaxmillers' <« Association—Messrs. E. T. Bell and E L " ißroad. New Zealand Builders' Federation— 'Mr. W. Iu Thompson. Woollen Manufacturers—Mr, A. E. Exley. Chambers of Commerce—Mr. X G. Harkness.

Tie prennknt (Sir. Foster)' iralcomed tha aatagates and expressed 'the hopp that thoy: foonld bare an onjoyable and profitable conferj3Bco< i \

THE, EXECUTIVE'S REPORT. 'fO».-report of,the General Executive, in a res Se- of the past year, stated-—"lt 13 pleasing to be able to report that the signs of •moustrial unrest, which were so apparent *heii last report was written, have almost entirely passed away. A number of reasons haTe" been, advanced for the change of ( >attrtude on the part of workers' union 9 and 1 labour leaders, but in the opinion of your executive the principal cause of the present period of campazairve industrial peace is the pecopt depression in dado and the consequent Wuijjns 1 labour t smml It is a much more TEfficult task to got workers to whan, theny -are plenty of others to take their places than when they know that the demand ' axceeds the.-supply. It has been advanced that the-setling up of concDiaiion councils had had considerable effect upon the situation, but •ranfe your oxecntrve admits that a large iam-> bar -of.-so-called disputes have been settled by I means-of tho--conciliation councils, it cannot be 'pud Hey haw been an important factor in jgroinoting, industrial peace. As a matter of pact, the number of 'disputes' being filed are tes great as.evex„as during the period botween ' Sfcbruary 1 July 31 of this pear no fewer •Shan 70 of these disputes' havo been dealt <orfth by means-of the conciliation councils and Pan/ Court, 101 settled by industrial is The- depression in trade has again 3 'effect, and has bcenN,an important bringing about settlemehts, as union s&ves have recognised • the futility Snider existing circumstances of pressing for ttherr ofttimes exhorbitant demands." In this '.connectionthe--secretary felt-compellod, in tho generally, to request /toe Armtranon Court to express an opinion fan- the attitude adopted by unions of cantinu- 1 mj corning forward with claims for higaer 1 -gages, shorter hours, etc., and a statement ( by (the Coiut in connection with the Gisborno , ' fPainters A-ward had in the opinion of your ' had a salutary effect. I "ft '' Miners' Complaint and Insurance i_ The report related tie circumstances of'tho industrial disturbances connected with compensation for "miners' complaint," and expressed tho hope that when Parliament again deals with the question, the clauses in the Workers' Compensation Act dealing with industrial diseases "will eithor bo thrown out 01-" together or only bo made operative Sv hen' the workers agree'to submit toibe medically 'examined. , if, • , 1 ' 1 _ The Niw Arbitration Act. Reviewing, at some length, the Arbitiation (Amendment Act of last year, tho report stated "While there are some serious defects in. the measure as it now stands, it has to be admitted fc h ?'Jj ta whole of the recommendations of tho Tedoration_ wore given careful consideration (both 'by ,tn© Minister for Labour (Hon. J. A Miliar) and the Laboui Bills Committee of the .Lower House • if the measure had become law; as it left the House of Representatives it would hate been much more satisfncW*J w taployers than it is m its .present lorra. » rho experiment of enforcement cases toeing taken by magistrates had been sufficiently long m operation to show that tho fears Expressed as to varying decisions and different penalties were 'well tounded The oxecutivo, recommended that tho strongest DOssiblo representations should bo niae'e to Government [to again revert to tho systi-m of having all French of award cases taken by the Arbitration Court. The provision ' that al' penalties imposed should be paid,into the ConsobMatod fund was one long asked for by the federation, and would practically pat a stop to nsportrog" cases being taken by unions to secure'the fines imposed X sonous omission (from the Act was that owing to a misunderstanding prcyisiqn *was mado, for lajmen to, appear as advocates in breach, of *ward cases before magistrates The Minister tfor, Labour ihaving promised an amendment to Vnako such, provision, it was .hoped ,that ero long this serious disability would be removed I Conciliations A Warning. The conciliation .the' Act wore tto a considerable extent thosii proposed "by tho tfederationj , '"While thoie L cause for con'eratulation at the measure of'success attained \a this connection," continued tho report, "it is very "questionable if employers interested in (industrial disputes in many cases realise tho pxtra responsibility thrown upon them to safenot only' tneir own interests, but tho (interests of all other employers, by refusing so give way on matters 101 principle or agree m awards which Have so iai jjot been inserted by tho Aitntrpition Court, ffhe Advisory Board'-has been senously conierned at tho evident weakness of assessors in Some respects, and has been compelled to issue a circular drawing attention to tho necessity ifor assessors, while doing all that 1 13 reasonable to secure settlement by conciliation, ensuring that'such settlements aro not obtained at ?oo great a cost. Employers' assessors in somo .pases do not'appear to Have realised that the Industries' of tho Dominion cannot bear any 'farther burdens being imposed on them, and that although agreeing to the insertion of certain clauses may not seriously affect the paTti«utai trade or industry interested, thoir actions Will create precendonts and act detrimental!} to other trades and industries 'Whilo not pishing to detract from the good work so far /Bono by the Conciliation Commissioners, your executive realises that thoy aro naturallj fusions to securo settlcmentb—sometimes, peruaps, without any consideration as to aitei tesults—and it therefore deoms it a duty to issue a warning against a policy of 'peace at pny price,' and desues to impress upon Jssossors the urgent necessity of safeguarding the interests of employers generally and of re fusing to-give away the few privileges so hardly Ivoniby employers m the past If settlement «.annot be reached without sacrificing important matters of principle, employers assessors should not hesitate to refuso to agree to any recommendation, and may with confidenco detodo to refer such matters to tho Arbitration Court for decision."' Several amendments of tho Act wcro sugccted, including provision to permit industrial Agreements being converted into awards without the necessity of appearing before conciliation councils. Between January 1 and Juno 30, 43 disputes Were settled with thus —By tho parties and Conciliation Commissioner, without tho aid of assessors, 13, by the parties themselves, 4, by Conciliation, Council, 11 wholly and 3 partially,, refdrred to Arbitration Court, 0 wholly and 3 partially.

1 ft 'sftftl i, Preference to Unionists;; ; .ftThef'miestion of preference to unionists was: ■!(,referred iby!'the Advisory Board to'.all affiliated : bodies, when a' unanimous response was received ," ! ttatKwierever/possible "the- insertion of- preftfarehce'clanses in awards,: should be 'strongly '•' opposed.'.:-In r nb case.'siheo' had, preference beqn . granted where it was not previously m-opera-: ft?tion;::-^eft>n:ecuifae: urgedv upon- employers !..','&e'viiecessity;',of 'Continued objection; being :'-:',madesiinffl:A ,;l)o]ninion'ai6 cleared:of a clause.which is, obft noxhaia -. not only;to : employers,' but to a•;very ■-:,, laxgel'itnnrber-of • our: best'workers". ft; 'ftftftft-ft #.'ft:,v:J:«v/yt«d^ V- vTifS-Cretmrt further ';;;said:-r^Tho ' regarding. ft? tho - Socialistic!tendencies or ;.tho'; Trades ft iahd: r':laitaax Cotntcila'of the' Dominion- have'proved.' 'ftwdr founded.ftln greater: degree' tbatf aseribe-v i ?gM l liE l

Dominion !had as many burdensome restrictions ;iinposed/up6n them as.they could.possibly bear. To. attempt to. .provide a remedy by the .introduction of ■legislation of 'a more. , extreme Socialistic type would entirely cripple New Zealand as a manufacturing country, and would also prejudicially affect our primary industries.. The: administration of,tho Labour Department continues "to bo of a satisfactory character. With very.few exceptions, the '■'■ Inspectors-"of Factories,: and-Awards carry .out their, duties in a. fair and impartial manner.- '-..-:.• ." -, The: report and balance-sheet were unanimously; adopted. ■;. .. . , ~-, ' .'

::•;!:' , OT KER business.'/ ...... -.The 'following .officers were, elected for the ensuing.. year '.—President, Mr. W. G. Foster;' vice-president-Hon. C. M. Luke, 'M.L.C.; treasurer, Mr. E.■-Ai' Scott; 'trustee, Mr; W. H; Bennett; .auditor, Mr. W. C. Stephens; Parliamentary/. Committee, Messrs.- -Jas.- All-en, M.P...C. M. Banks, J.Beveridge, H. Inniss, S. .S.;Kirkcaldio, G.H. Chapman, >N. F..Marley, H Seaton, and L. S. .Humphries.- •,. =- : if ■ Mr.' F. W. Hobbs' (Christchurch) read an -interesting paper on .workers' insurance -schemes. This.is, dealt; with in another column. -~. : .''■:;'•'' -■" j bayiight-Saving Bill. Mr.' T. K. Sidoy, ,M.P., attended and explained the objects of his Daylight-Saying Bill. The meeting approved of the scheme and appointed Mr. Warren (H&wke's Baj)-.' to give ovidence before the Parliamentary Committee on .the - Bill. *-■• vv ' •'•''■ .. 'f. The Conciliation Commissioners. The following ■ resolution 1 was carried:—"That regret: be ■ expressed : : that the Conciliation, Commissioners*have forwarded to the Court of Arbitration recommendations of Conciliation Councils as agreements-to be converted into awards of .the Court, ;this. being - contrary ,to Clause 43 of'the Industrial. Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act,l9oß, andithnt the matter be brought under tho notice' of 'the Minister for Labonr;" , ,-,... ' •••',-' -..Taxation; on Machinery; -- , It. was resolved.'—"That this federation of Employers, while appreciating the decision.of the Commissioner of Taxes in allowing 5 per •cent -~ off half -[Value .of- all machinery under the Income Tax Act, .is - /of opinion i.that •: in .view V-of . the ..disabilities placed on manufacturing enterprises in this; Dominion, steps should'bo taken to urge' upon the .Government-, or .Commissioner of Taxes that at least's.per 'cent.on the full value .of .all machinery should ; , : i ArbStration. Amendments V/anied.' . .-:. Eesolntionsrelatiag -to the- Arbitration - Act 'were passed as. follow:—"(1) That' ths -'Act .be amended to provide thatindnstriaLagreements may be .sent direct to tho Arbitration Court to be made into awards, without necessarily going before a Conciliation Council." -~'■': ; . :,"(2)iTlrat the'Act'be, amended to provide-that the wages named in awards of the, Arbitration shall hot .apply to Government, municipal, or public relief works,' which arefunder-' taken, for the purpose,' of relieving '. unemployment .and; distress.'.',- -.1 *;..'■ . •■.; V .:' .' r The\.cofiierence .will meet again ,