INDUSTRIAL COHERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1928, Page 2

INDUSTRIAL COHERENCE

AV ELLINGTON, Alarch 29

The National Industrial Conference had a full day to-day. The debate on the papers submitted by the Economists having concluded, the Pro lessors replied to the points raised. A lengthy paper setting out the views of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union, and pointing to directions in which flic present arhitraton system might he overhauled, was presented by the President (Air AV. J. Poison), following which papers were delivered by Air AV. Nash (on behalf of the delegation representing the AAorkers). and Air 11. I). Achind (on behalf of the New Zealand Sheep Fanners’ and Owners’ Federation).

An agreement was arrived at in the first matter, and regarding the second a report will be furnished hv the Par1i anient ary Committee to-morrow morning.

Tt was decided that the conference adjourn to-morrow night: until Api'd 18th.

The personnel of the committees is to he announced before the rising.

The substitution of a system of voluntary arbitration for the compulsory clauses of the present Act was suggested in the naper delivered before the conference to-day by Air H. D. Aekland (President of the N.Z. Sheepowners’ and Fanners’ Federation). “I wish.” he stated, “to stress the fact that my .Federation .is not now. lior ever has been, opposed to arbitration in eases of industiial or anj other dispute; but wo have steadfastly refused to admit the soundness of the underlying principle of the piesent Act. which provides for the compulsory fixation of conditions in industry. and costs of production, bv a tribunal clothed with statutory authority, and under which, in actual practice, compulsion can he enforced on one party only.” WELLINGTON, Afarch 30.

A paper read before the National Industrial Conference to-day, by H. 11. Sterling on behalf of the dairy industrv was confined to the presentation of the fact that the original ideal of arbitration system and conciliation had become lost sight 01. in the mass of rigid regulations placing conciliation out ol the question.