THE I.C. AND A. ACT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 110, 7 February 1928, Page 10

THE I.C. AND A. ACT

Sir,—Now that the proposed conference to amend the Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Act is to sit, one wonders if the proceedings will resemble a circus with the “band” striking up the now familiar air. “Payment by results,” and Hie clowns and jesters giving vent to all Hie rank and humbug that wo have been so accustomed to. Payment by results—how nice it sounds, coupled with the other term much used, ‘■good wages to good men,” but upon analysis it looks like the inviting bit of cheese in the mouse trap. In the first place, let us look into the sincerity of those that give Hp to such phrases, as far as the dairying industry is concerned.

Season 1918-19, when butterfat returned someone under Government commandeer 2s. 3d. to 2s. fid. per lb. In a large cheese factory in the Wellington district worked a man as first assistant cheesemaker. This man previously had been manager of one or two factories for years, and to-day is still a manager, so his experience cannot be questioned and, indeed, will not be by all who know him.

Even from the point of view of being a toiler, “he was it.” He toiled hard and long for 70 and 80 hours per week of 7 days. With inexperienced men under him (on account of low wages and bad conditions), which increased his burdens and responsibilities, he toiled, too true, and he was paid £3 7s. Gd. per week. Now, Sir, here was the time when butterfat brought up to 2s. Gd. per lb. and the “payment by results people” had their opportunity to prove in a practical manner their sincerity. Payment by results would have returned this worker £G to £7 per week, but it didn’t.

Season 1917-18, in a. large cheese factory, also in the Wellington district, worked another man, who was classed ns being as good a first assistant as could bo found in New Zealand. A married man with two children, lie toiled for £3 55.. and also for 70 and 80 hours per week of 7 days. With only one man under him with previous experience, he asked for an increase in wages, and again the "payment by results people” gave him an" extra 2s. fid. per week. So much for their sincerity towards experienced and responsible men. These facts can be verified by the companies’ books. As to the practicability of such proposals, as long as the lawyer, the doctor, the land agent, the money lender, etc., have their charges (very often for no results), the worker must and will have his.

And now for such statements that the Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Act has increased the cost of living as per Professor Tocker and others, should the position not he reversed, and say that the increased cost of living compels the Arbitration Court to grant increases ? Any economist knows perfectly well that wages are always the last to rise. Let us take the statement of Signor M. Blunno, Italian Consul in New Zealand, when, in answer to SigAor F. S. Nitti, he was reported to have said, “That in spite of an all round decrease in salaries and wages, and that taxation had been remitted to the extent of <£l3,o!yi,ooo, the difficulty was to bring retail prices of necessities and commodities into line.” No, Sir, payment by results, aS some of its exponents would like it, will never do. —I .am, etc., C. GOUGH. Sec. Wellington Dairy "Workers’ Union. Pahiatua, February 2.