EMPLOYERS CONFER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 219, 10 June 1920, Page 6

EMPLOYERS CONFER

THE INDUSTRIAL SITUATION

AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE

All important conference of the New Zealand Employers' Federation opened yesterday to discuss various matters relating to tho industrial situation, Mr. A. C. Mitchell (Wellington), vice-prcsi-dent of .the association, presided, in the absence of tho president (Mr. G. T. Shailer Weston), who is at present in 1 Japan. Tho list of delegates is as fol- | lows :— 1 Auckland Employers' Association, Messrs , Albert Spencer, S. E. Wright; Hawke's ; Bay Employers' Association, J. H. Ed- , mundeon and B. M. Chadwick; Taranaki, I P. D. Stainton and W. C. Wliitlock; , Wanganui, G. Caiman; Manawatu, R. . S. Abraham; Wellington, A. C. Mitchell. H. Mainland, E. E. Stonebanks, ! and L. R. Partridge; Marlboi-ouph, K. ! V. Bytheil; Canterbury, G. T. Booth, C. H. Wyles, W. Iforley, and P. Cooper; Otago, J. M. Stevenson, E. Cameron, and A. S. Cookson; N.Z. iPlaimillers' Association, JR.. T. Bell and A. Seifeiii; N.Z. Master Printers' Association, H. Coull and C. M. Banks; N.Z. Gas Companies' Association. Dr. C. P. Knight; N. 7,. Mastor Plumbers' Association, A. Pamsay; Dominion Federated Sawmillers' Association. W. T. Irvine, W. G. Butler; H. Valder, A. Seed; N.Z.. Shinowners' Federation, W. E. Fuller and Captain Petersen ; N.Z. Bnilders' Federation. W. L. Thompson; N.Z, Woollen Manufacturers' Association. A. E. Donne; N,Z. Clothing Jranufacturers' Association. C. N. • Cniihie; N.7i. Federation of Drapers nnd Clothiers. W. Simm; N.Z. Watchmakers and Jewellers' Association, W. Crawford Young. Owing to the non-arrival of the southern members, delayed by the steamer, the conference adjourned' till the afternoon after a brief discussion as to the method of procedure. On resuming, the chairman reviewed tho circumstances which had led up to the meeting, and explained that their chief purpose would bo to come to a decision in regard to the advisability of agreeing to a rialHonal industrial conference such as had been proposed by tho Welfare League. A deputation representing the Welfare League and representatives from tho Farmers' Union, the New Ze.v land Industrial Corporation, and the Associated Chambers of Commerce would presently attend, for the purpose of an exebmnge of views. He would invito tho fullest and freest discussion. It was the desire of all those present to arrive, if possible, at some solution of the problems which were at the root of the existing condition of industrial nnrcet all over tho world. (Hear, hear.) At this stage thie visitors were received. Messrs. L. O. H. Tripp. D. M'Lnren, and A. P. Harper (representing the Welfare League), Sydney Kirkcaldio and A. F. Roberts (Associated Chnm'bers of Commerce), C. J. Ward and F. W. Vo«selcr (Industrial Corporation of New Zealand), W. J. Poison and E. C. Jack (New Zealand Farmers' Union). An apology for absence was received from Mr. T. Jloss. Mr. Tripp explained that Mr. C. I'. Skerrett, prcsiden t of the league, who was keenly interested in "he question of a national industrial conference, had unavoidably been detained in Dunedin. He himself was there as representing Mr. Skerrett, but tl«e main statement of tho case for tho Welfare League's proposal had been left to Mv. M'Laren. Mr. JPLaren then addressed the meeting and made an urgent appeal for a national industrial conference. It had been urged, ho said, that such a conference would do no good, and would produce nothing, but even if it wero only negative in results it would serve to establish joints of contact 011 matters of basic principle between the employers ond the workers. Tho time was ripe for a t review of the existing legislative machinery for dealing with industrial . matters; our industrial legislation wa3 chaotic. What was wanted was that these matters should be taken out of tho hands of politicians and settled in principle by those tat able to do so— those concerned, as workers and employ- : ers, in the industries themselves. Mr. Poison also addressed the meeting. After the delegations had retired, the conference went into committee and en- 1 gaced in a general discussion. 1 _ The conference will resume this morn- ' Mg at 10 o'clock. ;