WAR AND THE WORKERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2222, 7 August 1914, Page 7

WAR AND THE WORKERS.

LOCAL AWARDS.

. DECISION OF ARBITRATION COURT; No industrial disputes are to be heard by the Court of Arbitration until matters have sottled down after the present European crisis. This was decided upon yesterday morning, neither employers or ejnployees raising anySbiection to this' course. When the Court resumed its sitting yesterday, Mr. Prvor, in reply to" a question by Mr. Justice Stringer, stated that ho had been in communication with all tlio Employers' Associations throughout the Dominion, and on Bio previous evening a largely-attended meeting, repre- • Bontative of the trading, manufacturing, and farming interests, carried a resolution which he had been instructed to place before tho Court. At tho meeting there had been no show of jingoism, but rather evidence of tho earnest feeling .of business men, who recognised the seriousness of tho situation. There appeared to have been.some misunderstanding of .tlio remarks made by him on the previous day, and ho now <wished to disclaim any suggestion of the general breaking down of the wages fixed by the Court. The general idea he had in mind was not so milch a reduction of wages as that where the conditions were such that there was hot employment for all' the employers should be encouraged to give half-time employment to all nnnds, rather than full time': to some and no employment to others. . Employers' Resolution. The resolution carried at' the previous evening's.meeting was as follows:— "That this meeting of employers representing the trading, manufacturing/and farming interests'of the Dominion, after communication with employers' organisations . throughout New Zealand (in response to Mr. Justice Stringer's requtst), strongly recommends that representations should be made to the Arbitration Court that it should suspend operations during the present international crisis, as, • in the opinion of the meeting, the.' Court would not be justified in making any awards in view,-of the fact , that, it 'is' impossible' to foresee the I industrial conditions of the immediate future." Case for. the Workers; ]" ■ Mr.'E.'J. Carey,-deputy representative of the workers on the-Court of Arbitration, put the case on bokjf of ,the Labour organisations. He said that a meeting, called by the .Trades and Labour Council I on the previous evening, had been largely [attended, and had-unanimously agreed Upon a .statement, which ho would read to the Court. There had been a total absence of any spirit' of ■' jingoism, v but rather a. feeling, of sadness that there should be such a travesty on civilisation after 2000 'years of Christianity. The meeting, hoped the war would bo quickly over, but every man felt that whatever-hap-pened they would stand for the best traditions of., the British race. This feeling of loyalty permeated all the organisations. Ho had been instructed to read the following:— ■ ■■••• "We are prepared to advise those ' Unions having disputes before the : Court- to agree to an adjournment of i those disputes till normal conditions are reached again; we' respectfully i reqnest the Court to confirm tho agree- ; ments arrived at before the Conciliation Councils and now awaiting con- ; fi.rmation.by the Court; we respect-, I fully request the Court, to proceed 1 with all other ordinary, work, such, as . . compensation cases, attachment' of .' parties, and .enforcements; we further i respectfully suggest that when normal ' conditions are reached again the Court shall make every effort; to Overtake i delay?il."'.'. ' . '"':;•' ,:';:.'■•, .; . Powers, of,the Court. , : The. Court adjourned for a brief interval, -and, on resuming, Mr. -Justice Stringer s read'-the following statement:— • "This Court desires to say that they think the attitude' adopted with regard to tho pending business of the Court by both employers ami workers is extremely fair and reasonable, and shows a disposition to meet a. great crisis in a calm and resolute spirit, and to act together in harmony in.. the. best interests of the whole community. With regard to existing'awards, the Court is pleased to have explanation made by Mr.'Pryor, and which we hope -will remove some misapprehension created in the minds of the workers, due no doubt to the fact'that Mr. Pryor spoke on the spur of the moment. As fur as the Court is concerned, we have no. power to : interfere with existing awards either by way, of suspension or modification, whether or hot. the circumstances' in which' we are plriced justify such power being given is a matter for. the Legislature, which represents both employers and workers, and the Court .would not in any case attempt to, influence .legislature one way or the other. In any event we believe that in this great national crisis it will be found that employers and .workers will meet one another in a fair and reasonable spirit, and make satisfactory arrangements between themselves in any industry whioh may bo proDe to be particularly affected by the war." ■ ■ .•' ,'■ His Honour added that tho Court would proceed with bushies- on. the lines indicated, including the hearing of applications for attachment- of parties-. ■ - INSURANCE RATES ADVICES TO THE UNDERWRITERS. Cable' advices' received by the underwriters in Wellington state that consequent upon existing conditions a minimum war rate of 10 per cent, has been fixed for the non-belligerent and BriUsh vessels to and from British and noutral ports. Cover is to be 1 free of all claims arising from .delay and short interest. Rates have also been adopted for intercolonial business from Neiv. Zealand to Now South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia of half per cent., mid Queensland and West Australia 1 petcent. -..;'. PRAYERS FOR PEACE ! (By Telegraph-Press Association.) Christchurch, August 6. •; The Moderator of the Presbyterian General. Assembly, at tho instance of the Assembly's International Peace Committee, has.urged on.all ministers and congregations to observe next, Sunday with prayers for peace, both publicly and privately. Masterton, August G'. The president of tho Methodist Church calls upon the Methodist people to unite in prayer to God on behalf of the' King and Queen,' statesmen, the Army ami Navy, and the Empire, that tho present war may soon terminate. At the quarterly meeting of the'Wei lingtoh Auxiliary of the Loudon Mission aiy Society; held ivt the Terrace Churcl on Wednesday evening, Rev. J. It. Glas son presiding, jjhe following motion wn proposed by Mr! Ewen, and seconded bMr. C. W. Smith, and carried unani nicusly by those present :—"That tht meeting of the Wellington Auxiliary o I the'L.M.S. views with, the gravest con cern tho crisis existing among the Chris tian nations of Europe, realising that sucl aul examplo must affect the power o missionary teaching. Wo pray that Al mighty God may keep our hearts am minds free from /unworthy excitement that Ho may so rulo the actions of inoi in His; own infinite wisdom, as to cans : all things to work together for good Wo further pray that those directing 111 destinies of our Empire may bo guidei by nim and be justified in "His sight." AUSTRIAN AND GERMAN RESERVISTS NOT TO LEAVE NEW ZEALAND. In a statement to the Press yesterda; Inspector Cullen said that instruction have been issued to the Police to th effect that' Austrian and German reservist are to be stopped from leaving New Zea land. All Austrian and German subject residing in the Dominion will have to re port themselves ( to the . nearest polic office forthwith, an'd will have lo giv their ..name,. address,: and, occupation Thnv itro not to leave their homes withou giving information to the police officer.