CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1929, Page 5

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

DOMINION CONFERENCE.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, Oct. 14

In a speech at the opening of the i/ofminion Conference of Associated Clhambers of Commerce to-day, the President, Mr C. P. Agar, said he believed the abolition of the Arbitration wourt would increase the prosperity of the country and result in more permanent improvement of the Dominion. As a result of freedom- from the Arbitration Court some workers would remain on their present scale and others who were not producing would possibly have, to accept a lower wage or •an increase of their efforts, hut ■ the man of the ,main clue to the community ,the man of to-day, was discouraged because of the system of payment for time put in ins read of production put out. He would be free to put forward his best efforts and gain the rewards possible as a result of greater production. - , -.- .Employers would have to recognise that there should be no attempts at sweating or lowering the standard of living, but that employees should share jffie increased benefits of industry.

At the present the Arbitration system was supported by workers largely because of the fear of losing wnat had been gained and on the other hand employees suffered because many employers v ere forced to recognise the special work and ability for the Veusoui that wcYe it recognised, it would appear to follow automatically that it should be adopted as a standard of following the award. Labour evidently failed to recognise tinbenefits of increased production in recent years. There had undoubtedly been too much legislation and too much interference m business, which resulted in lack of confidence. In his judgment the dime had arrived when any additional tariff protections for secondary industries would nave to he effected by a corresponding relief of primary producers.