N.Z. EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1238, 21 September 1911, Page 3

N.Z. EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION.

<> ANNUAL MEETING. COMMENTS ON LABOUR ,LAWS. RESTRICTIVE LEGISLATION AND DISCONTENTED WORKEIiS. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Employer*' Federation was held at the Wellington Employers' Association room?, Woodward Street-, Wellington, yesterday. Tli? following delegates were present:— President, Hon. C. M. Luke, M.L.C.; vicepresident, Mr. \V. Hopkirk; trustee, Mr. \V. 11. Dennett; members of Advisory Board, Messrs. \V. A. Havcll and W. J. Thompson; Auckland, Messrs. D. Goldie, J. Miller; Poverty Bay, Mr. W. F. Cedcrwall; Hawke's Bay, Messrs. F. W. Williams and S. E. Wright (secretary); Taranaki, Mr. W. J. Thompson; V* anganui, Messrs. Lloyd, Jones, and F. Boumo

(secretary); Manawatu, Messrs. E. L. Broad, S. T. Hunt, and W. ITKenzic (secretary); Feilding, Mr. F. Pirani; A\airam pa, Air. C. A. Tabuteau (secretary); Wellington, Messrs. \V. Hopkirk, J. Godber, C. Jl. Banks, T. Ballingor, and W. Grcnfell (secretary); Nelson, Mr. A. Miller; Canterbury, Messrs. K. F. England, J. ]?. Laureiison, W. Moreley, J. R. Hayward, and F. W. Hobbs; South Cant-er-burv, Messrs. W. G. Irwin and J. Davidson; Otago, Messrs. R. Chisholm, .T. C. Thomson, G. Simpson; Southland, Mr. S. M'C. M'Donald; goldmine-owners, Messrs. T. Shailer Weston (Auckland), 11. Norton Johnson (Reefton), ,T. C. Short, H. F. Noes (Otago and Southland), W. R. Smyth (Tuapeka); New Zealand Builders' Association, Mr. W. L. Thompson: NewZealand Shipowners' Federation, Mr. W. E. Fuller; New Zealand Licensed Victuallers' Association, Mr. J. Bcveridge; New Zealand Shcepowners' Federation, Mr. 11. D. Vavasour. LABOUR TROUBLES.

The president, welcoming the deleKntep, snid tlint tboro were many important matters to be discussed at the federation, f.abour troubles were not peculiar to the Dominion; they were being experienced all over the world.- lie thought our Arbitration Act was better than strikes such,as had recently occurred at Home. Kvcry year brought incrca?inj,' difficulties to employers—increasing charges and decreasing profits. It .seemed to him that some great industrial change was imminent throughout tho world, but he lieiieved that while the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act remained in operation in New Zealand strikes should not be possible. Enions should not be allowed to cancel their registrations ill order to strike. . ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report was mainly a commentary on last year's labour legislation from tho employers' point of view, tollowing are sonic extracts from it: - Except for the affiliation of the New Zealand Licensed Victuallers' Association the membership of the Federation remains the same as at the date- of the last report. Reference in last report to the desirability of farmers and farmers' organisations joining forces with t lie federation and assisting employers engaged in other industries in protecting the interests of all who engage labour resulted in a decision by the annual meeting to endeavour to induce that section to become more closely associated with the work of tho federation. Good results have been attained during the year in this direction in somo districts; especially in South Canterbury, Manawatu and \Vairarapa, so that now Otago, Canterbury, llanawatu, AVairarapa, and Hawke's Bay farmers are effectively linked up with the federation. It is expected that during tho coining year the other portions of tho Dominion will bo able to report similar succcss in this direction.

The work of the Parliamentary Committee during the 1910 session was particularly arduous and exacting. l'he number of Bills proposed containing clauses calculated to impose further burdens oil the trades and industries of tho Dominion was greater than during any previous session in the history of the federation.

Shops and Offices Act Amendment: This Act as it stands to-day is easily the worst Act on the Statute-books, Jlany of its clauses are inoperative and some of them the Government dare not put into operation. During last session special provision was made for hotels, restaurants, and tea rooms. In the matter of hours the Amending Act completely over-rides the Arbitration Court Awards, and that notwithstanding the fact 1 hat the Court considerably reduced the hours of work mid increased the rate of wages. Section 2 of the Act brings boardinghouscs,under a 32-hour week; this is one of the clauses that the Government cannot put into operation as it would close down half tho boardiiighousDS in New Zealand. The restaurants also sulFer a gross injustice uy being brought under a 52-hour week. Section 13 stipulates that only ono por son can register as an occupier of a shop. This means that in the case of .a firm one member of the firm has to register as tho occupier, the other members are deemed to bo shop assistants and treated as such, tliey liiusj not work more than 52 hours a week or bo on the premises after the prescribed closing hours without a permit from the inspector, nor can they engage in the business of the sjiop in the afternoon of the day of the statutory half-holiday. They must also fill their names in tho wages book, and show the hours they work and the wages they receive. This is another clause that tho Department has not been able to give effect to. A great number of amendments to the Consolidated measure cf 150S have been made in this Act, none cf which arc in the interests cf employers. In fact, the Act as it stands 'o-day is a disgrace to the New Zealand legis:atnre. factories Act Amendment: the scope of this Act has again been enlarged by the extension of the definition of a "factory," and we shall again be informed-that the number of factories is increasing, whereas it is the scope of the Act that has been enlarged. Coal Mines Amendment. —Section 5 of this Act prohibits an employer from deducting any moneys received from tho Sick and Accident Fund, which is contributed by employers, from compensation under the 'Workers' Compensation Act. It is this clause that enables tho miners to earn more money when laid up by accident or illnes than they earn when in work, and which hw led to so much malingering and imposition. Tho erection of bath-houses (now compulsory) is a costly farce, as tho men will not uso them. They naturally prefer to change and wash in their own homes. Section 7 imposes an extra tax of one farthing a ton on all lignite coal and thus imposes a very heavy charge on an already over-burdened industry, and is class legislation of tho worst kind.

Mining Act Amendment.—A few of the clauses of this Act, in the way of extended areas and matters that do not. afTcct tho working class may be said to be in the interests of employers, but on the other hand there are two or three drastic clauses that seriously affect employers and more than counteract, the good elTcct of the clauses above-mentioned. Tho Government, whilst imposing these penalties on employers point blank, refused to deal with the matter of gold stealing which is rife throughout tho Dominion, and that notwithstanding a definite promise that the matter iwould te ly dealt with. Tramway Act Amendment'.—This Act is quite uncalled tor and is another example of class legislation which is so strongly opposed bv this Federation. It's operation will rob local bodies of their right to conir/ their own businesses. The Act itself is bad enough, but the proposed regulations in connection therewith are much worse. In fact', it they are put ill force as proposed . tliev may quite possibly make it impossible for private companies to continue iu operation. Miscellaneous (,egislalion.--Apai't from i the foregone the following Ads have given employers some anxiety and were opposed b.v them on llieir passage through t'he House, as they contained, in hidden corners as it were, clauses inimical lo the interests of employers, although perhaps in tho main tho principles were all right. These are as follow:—Auctioneers, f)efer.ee, Education, Inspection of Machinery, ' Municip.il Corporal ions. Public Holidays. Secret Shipping and Seamen, and Stone IJuarries. The New Zealand Employer:.' Federation has in connection ivilh all lhe.-,e measures elearlv put the wishes of employers be-fc-re ihe ■ Ministers and tho Committees

of I lie House, nml in same li;)s vi'liomently prott'sl p<l against certain clauses, vet nohvitli>iuiulin{? nil lliul ha* In en doi'io, tlio lesli ictivo Illation of lust sc.ssion, as shown ill llio was pas*-p(i, and is now in opera-tion, or is supposml to li?. Tlio legislatbn at lasl session was almost; wholly detrimental t i the employing classes; and tlio good of the community, and yet strange to say the workers are more discontented than ever. The executive desire to emphasise tlio need for continued watchfulness in the interest of employers generally. The eyi-, derico of industrial unrest in the Dominion, in keeping with the dissatisfaeton of workers throughout the world, indicates tliu closer combination of ;liokd engaged in the I.rules and industries of (iie Dominion. The organisation of the workers and tlio movemen. towards Ihe federation of various unions throughout the Dominion call for still more concerted action on t'he part of employers in connection with legislation and industrial disputes. The work of the exccmivc during the ensuing year will, it is anticipated, bo no less arduous than it lias been in the past, but so long as the executive retains the confidence and support of affiliated bodies it will Ire encouraged in the exorcise of its many duties and will be enabled to do still more effective work on behalf of employers of labour generally. The report was adopted. FINANCE. A Finance Committee, consisting of Messrs. T. Ballineer, V.". Hopkirk, D. Goldie, ,T. Miller, K. F. England, F. \V. Hobbs, R. Chisholm. J. C'. Thomson, E. L. Broad, \Y. G. Irwin, and S. M'Donald, was appointed to consider the federation's ' finances, and to report to the general meeting to-dny. TECHNICAL SCHOOLS . The federation agreed to accede to the request of the Wellington and I'etone Technical School Boards to meet their representatives at 8 o'clock this evening to discuss tho question of recognition of lime spent by apprentices in attending technical classes," and of certificates issued by the schools. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers wore elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. AY. Hopkirk; vice-president, Mr. T. Shailer Weston; treasurer, Mr. R. A. Scott; trustee, Mr. AY. 11. Bennett; auditor, Mr. W. C. Stephens; Federation Parliamentary Committee: Air. T. Ballinger prapesed that the members of the Advisory Board, Hon. C. M. Luke. M.L.G., Messrs. .fas. Allen, ALP., .C. AI. Banks, S. S. Kirltcaldie, H. Sea ton, and A. E. Donne should bo the Parliamentary Committee, such 'committee to liavo power to add lo their uuinber.

WORKERS' INSURANCE. The following resolution was carried, after discussion'"That the Advisory Board bo requested to consider tit? advisability of forming an association for the nurnose of taking employers' risks under the AVorkers' Compensation Act, Employers' Liability Act, or other laws or awards under which employers arr liable to pay wages or compensation to employees."' HOLIDAYS. The whole of tho afternoon was devoted to discussion of several resolutions regarding holidays. The following were passed:—

"That the statutory holidays be uniform throughout the Dominion, and that only statutory holidays be inserted in awards or agreements." It was also decided that local holidays be left to the discretion of the several towns. ■ "That, the Public Holidays Act be amended by providing the substitution of a special liolidny declared by a local authority in lieu "of an award holiday in tho same week." "That the federation strongly oppose any alteration of tho present legislation wliereby every district has the. right to fix the day on which the weekly halfholiday shall be observed in such district." The conference will resume at 10 a.m. to-day, and probably will conclude ils <ielib:ratior«3 to-day.