WORK AND WAGES

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1927, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES

CHAMBER OF COAIAfERCE.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.

CHRISTCHURCH, OctdtXi sl. Tho following remit proposed by tho Special Committee set up on Friday by tho Associated Chambers of Commerce Conference, to consider the Arbitration Act, was adopted to-day. ' after a brief discussion in Committee: “This Conference commends the Government for having introduced legislation designed to improve the ' constitution of the Arbitration Court and functioning of the arbitration system, and resolve that a considered statement of tho views of the Conference in these matters be forwarded to tho Government.”

Reporting on the constitution, functions and effects of the arbitration system, tho Committee stated that the following objections had been made: (a) That the system was good while wages and prices were rising, hut now that tho tide has turned, it does not operate to tho general benefit, (fi) the system limits production; (c) it increases costs; (cl) it hampers pro-*——*, gross; (o) it stifles initiative; (f) it promotes unemployment ; (g) there is too great a rigidity in the fixation and interpretation of conditions governing employment; (li) the welfare of the general public is dis-

regarded. The Committee liiiule the following recommendations, which tlie Couferenoo endorsed: (a.) The Arbitration Court should he continued; (b) if its functions and constitution are revised tho principles enunciated in the Amendment Bill providing for payment on piecework should he adopted; (c> we do not disagree with a basic sub* sistance wage, but this should be :t >• minimum which every worker could increase by efforts; (d) payment should he based on the'Value and volume of output; (e) wages should not be based on such artificial conditions as the size of a man’s family or the pre-war cost of living, but must be based on the economic position of the Dominion as a whole, tho state of primary producers, mul the interest of the consumer ; (f) due regard must be given to the economic fallacy of attempting to maintain wages at an unduly high level under protection; ig> preference to unionists should lie abolished; (h) there should be less r«v" striction of conditions under which industry may ho carried on and conditions in awards should he interpreter reasonably, not with cast-iron rigidity. It should lie made penal offence for any person to coerce or cajole any worker to restrict his output. In order to give full effect on theto recommendations, the Conference further approved of the following proposals:—“That the Court he constituted of three permanent members viz., two Judges of the Supremo Court and one economist of note tho latter particularly to safeguard the in-- jl terests of the general public.” The Conference disapproves of tho appointment of Assessors, considering that decisions should be the opinion of a majority ot the above three poi- » manent members of the Court, acting purely in a judical capacity. employers should be advised, must he induced to adopt improved methods and institute more efficent administration in order to do their full part in the economic readjustment now facing the Dominion. The Conference is not antagonistic to Trade Unionism, hut favours it It has not and will not oppose an increase in money wages when justifiahlc. It nevertheless . unequivocally affirms the principle that all movements in wages costs and prices must be. directed towards an increase cf real wages and tv reduction of the cost of living.