WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1930, Page 6

WELLINGTON NEWS

FLAX-WORKERS’ MOVE

(Special Correspondent). • (

WELLINGTON, Nov. 11

There is no doubt in the minds ot many that the flaxinili workers at their meeting on Friday in Fox ton took up a manly and sensible attitude witu respect to work with the industry in its present uneconomic condition. Incidentally it was shown into what a state of serfdom the workeffa are placed by their executive officers, and. it was further shown that the Arbitration Court through its rigid awards is not a little responsible for the unemployment that exists.

The present price of New Zealand hemp is exceedingly low and there is little prospect of it rising to the level of a few years ago because it has a formidable competitor in sisal, which is produced 'by nigger labour in Tanganyika and Kenya Colony in South Africa. Sisal may not be quite as good as New Zealand hemp, and that is an open question, it is nevertheless a very good substitute and this fact will prevent the New Zealand produced commodity from rising to the old level of value. The present price leaves the mill-owner with a loss with present costs and wages. •"

To meet the position the mill owners and the workers, supported by influential men in Foxton and district, sought the help of the Government and asked for a subsidy, which really meant making up the wage difference between what the mills could afford to pay and what the Arbitration Court has ordered them to pay. The Government very rightly turned a deaf ear to this proposal not, perhaps, because of the lack of sympathy but for lack of funds. In any case a subsidy in such a case would be uneconomic and would ultimately saddle the country with more taxation. The industry is thrown back on its resources to find ways and means ol giving the industry another chance, hence the meeting at Foxton which was in the nature of a round-table conference with an independent chairman in the person of the Mayor of Foxton. The President of the Flax Millers’ Association explained the position and stated that in asking for. a subsidy from the.. Government accurate figures were submitted, which disclosed the fact that the subsidy would need to be on the basis of thir-ty-three and a third per cent of the wages paid in accordance 'with the Arbitration Act.

The millers were to pay two-thirds and the Government one-third of the wages of the workers, and if the ..Government acceded to that request it could, not very well refuse similar requests from other industries. The President further said that even with a reduction of one-third of the award wages the miller would still b e faced with loss.

The representative of the workers made; the amazing statement that before the award could be suspended it would be necessary for the Union to hold a meeting, pass a Resolution to that effect, and to recommend the Executive to take the necessary steps accordingly. “He did not think, however, that the Executive would carryout the wishes of the men. even if the resolution were carried.” And New Zealand is a democratic country.

But it is hard to believe that the Executive, who are mostly paid officers, will disregard the wishes of the men. Should they, however, do so it is within the power of the Govern-_ ment, under the Board of Trade Act, to suspend the award and so meet„the. wishes of the workers who deserve to lie commended, and who should receive the thanks of the whole community for setting an example in deciding to meet the adverse conditions existing, in the only commonsense and sound economic way.

The chief speaker for the workers, Mr R W. Shaw, appears to have a greater appreciation of the economic situation than any of the others, and lie was alko influenced by the fact, that the women and children in Foxton were practically starving. The sariu representative expressed the opinion that lie did not believe that there was a man in the room who would object to going back to work at reduced wages. The standard of living fallacy is bound to crop up in this matter, just as the same fallacy prevailed in Australia, but that has been exploded in the Commonwealth and it will he expired here. The flax millers on - reduced wages will not have to economise in food mid otlvor necessaries, an thev will lie independent, and men.