N.Z. EMPLOYERS IN CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1555, 26 September 1912, Page 4

N.Z. EMPLOYERS IN CONFERENCE.

o LABOUR LAWS. • ! "A YEAR OF ANXIETY." • ■ UNREST PREVAILS. : _ The tenth annual meeting of tho N«H 1 Zealand Employers' Federation was op. oned in Wellington yesterday. Tho foU lowing aru the representatives:— President, Mr. W. Hopkirk; vice-presi-dent, Mr. T. Shailcr Wc-stou; trustee, Mr, W. H. Bennett; treasurer, Mr. R, A, Scott; Auckland Association, Messrs. D, Uoldie, T. Hodgson, 0. KlioUes, It. Cnld-wi-It; poverty bay Mr. H. Coull; Hawko'a Bay, Messrs. P. W. Williams, S. E,' H right; Wanganui, Mr. G. Colmanl larunaki, Mr. (J. J2, Baker; Manawatu. Messrs. A. L. Bennett, D, , Buick, W. Mivenzie; I'eliding, Mr. F. l'iraiii; Wai4 rarapa, Messrs. C. E. Daniell, C. A, J.abuteau; Wellington, Messrs. T. Bollinger, J. Godber, lion. U. it. Luke; Nelson, -Ur. OJianes liaggitt j Canterbury, Messrs* ii'» U. ft, C. Bishop, P. W. ilobhs, and A. W. Bevani faou h Canterbury, Messrs. William Evans, , b. p. Wood; Otago, Messrs. J. W. Hen. . ton, Alex. Burt; Southland, Messrs. .J, i Crosby Smith, A. S. Cookson; Coal Min# Uwuuib Association, Messrs. G. Joachinu i'i Townsend, \V. A. i'lavell; Gold i\lino Owners' Association, Messrs. C. litiodes, H. Norton Johnson) New Zealand Sheep Owners' Federation, Messrs. H. D. Vavasour, H. A. Novinsj J. D. Cruiclcsliank; New Zealand Builders' Federation, Mr. W. L. Thompson.; Now" Zealand Licensed Victuallers'' Association. Mr. J. Bcveridgo; New Zealand Plumbers Association, .Messrs. T. Ballinger, H. Wi Davics, and R. J. Ramsay; Now Zealoni Master Printers' Association, Messrs. Lt T. Watkins and N. M'Robie; New Zea. land 800 l Manufacturers' Association, Mr< T. Hodgson; Chamber of Commerce, Mr< K G. Pilcher; New Zealand Ship Owners' Federation, Mr. J. H. Bradney, Mr. W, E. Fuller; Federation Secretary, Mr. WiU liam Pryor. "Organise Thoroughly." The president. (Mr. W. Hopkirk) welcomed the delegates. He expressed regret/ at tho industrial unrest which was ap-> parent in the Dominion, and said that lia Hoped til at employers would organiso thoroughly to meet the situation adequately. Tho Advisory Board, in presenting the annual report, remarked that tho past; year had proved to bo one of great anxiety to employers of labour, and all who had any interest whatever in tho welfare of tho Dominion. The prevailing industrial unrest had entailed ceaseless watching on; tho part of those controlling the uffsira of tho country, and tho various move* ments in the Labour world hud received tho earnest consideration of the Advisory Board ill ordov to keep members of th« federation in touch with whatever move* monts had been apparent. In the Industrial Conciliation and ArbU Iration Amendment Act, Section 3—tlia conversion of industrial agreements into awards—and Section- 4 (Dominion award provisions) had proved inoperative, and would require to bo considerably altered beforo they could bo put into clfcctivo operation. Proposals contained in the Budget deal*, ing with amendments to tho Industrial' Conciliation and Arbitration Act had been received with considerable coucern by; employers generally throughout tho Do.j minion. Tho proposed alteration of that constitution of the Court had been such,' that tho federation could not do than opposo it. Representations had bo?nl made to tho Minister for Labour in this connection, and' tho appearand* of the BiU itaelf was hoing awaited before definite' action was taken in connection therewith, Tho Minister had intimated his intention to nmeud the Shops and Offices Bill, and it had been decided to tako advantage of tho proposal to make representations to (secure some very much-necded alterations in the interests of emnloyersf and shop-keepers generally. Deputation! from tho various sections'were, being ar»' ranged to interview tho Minister to ulace their requirements beforo him. "Tinkering with Legislation," "It was hoped that the new Parliament) would have recognised the necessity fop a rest from the continuous changes in industrial legislation and the imposition of further burdens upon tho trades and / industries of the Dominion (continued tho report), but tho indications that it is proposed to introduce several measure! beyond tliqse before mentioned seem to aftord reason for tho fear that the expressed hopes .will not be realised, Thore is no doubt that this continual tinkerinff with our industrial legislation and tho ever-increasing burdens being placed upon employers is having a detrimental oQecfc upon tho expansion of our industries and the investment of capital which is* needed for their development, and it ia strongly recommended that represents tions should be mado to Government that assurance should be given I;hat for eoin# time, at any rate, only amendments necessary for tho better administration of tha present Labour laws of tho Dominion will bo made. Cost of Living Commission. "Tho Cost of Living Commission np»> pointed by tho Mackenzie Government was not approved by tho business' nnd labour-employing sections of tho community. The New Zcoland Merchants' Association refused to recognise it or givo evidenco before it because of one member who was known to bo antagonistio to the association's interests and who was, it was alleged, acting as both judge ana prosecutor. This Federation took the earliest opportunity to protest against the setting up of the Commission, tha short time at its disposal to make inquiry, to its personnel aud to the failure to appoint a political economist oj recognised standing. Tho last-named objection -was removed to somo extent bjl tho appointment of Mr. James Eight, M.A., Professor of History and Economic.'! of Canterbury College, Christchurch, When it is remembered, however, that tho Commission assembled for tho first: timo on May 31, nnd presented its report to Government on August 80—just thrco months—it will at once he realised how impossible) it was for tho Commission to present a report of any value on a question world-wido in cause nnd efi'cofc and presenting problems which for years ' have been occupying and puzzling somo of tho minds of the world. "Considering that thrrc were also threa openly-avowed Socialists and another La. , hour M.l\ of advanced democratic leanings upon tho Commission, it was not. difficult to forecast tho tenor of tho report which would bo presented. This Federal ion decided not to organise tho presentation of evidence in any way, with tho result: that, generally speaking, evidence was not given voluntarily on behalf of employers of labour. Those employers who did givo evidence, in most cases .tendered their istatiomouts under compulsion. In those circumstances tha value of the report mnst be considerably diminished—as being based as regarda somo points on one-sided evidence. Resolutions. It was resolved that the federation should recommend that an amendment of Section 131) of tho Public Works Act of 1908 should be mado in the direction of empowering one central body to issuo licenses for vehicular traffic, with the ohicet of dispensing with the number of licenses now necessory for one vehicle. Tho Budget, proposals regarding amendments to the Arbitration Act. were considered, but derision was deferred subject, to (lia report of a pub-committee which w.is set up in connection with the matter. The subject of orcanisin? work was discussed, and, on tho motion of Mr. G. .loachim (Diincdin). it was resolved that "(be Employers' Federation should b« enlarged by providing organisers aud uuder-studies for the secretaries whera necessary." Officers Elected. The following officers were elected fop the year:—President, Mr. W. nopkirkj vice-president, Mr. T. Ishailer A\csten; treasurer, Mr. R. A. Scott; trustee, Mr. W. 11. Bennett; Auditor, Mr. W, C. Stephens; Parliamentary CommitW, members of the Advisory Board, ami Messrs, C. N. Banks. S. S. Kirkealdie, H. F. Allen. L. I!. Partridge, W. L. Thompson, A. E. Donne, C. N. Cathie, and \V, Allan.