LABOUR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 507, 16 November 1909, Page 3

LABOUR.

PROSPECTS FOR THE

FUTURE

labour is dealt with somewhat briefly by the Prime Minister in the course of his Budget speech. “It is gratifying,” he says, “to be able to state that our prospect of success in industrial legislation is gradually becoming assured. Not only are fewer offences committed against the labour laws or the Arbitration Court awards than was formerly the case, but there is notices,ble a general feeling of enhanced confidence between employers and employed. Much of this owing to the change wrought by last year’s amendment of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act in the direction of appointment of commissioners and councils of conciliation. The work done already by these commissioners and councils has not only prevented much litigation and eased the former strain on the Arbitration Court, but has brought about a spirit of mutual forbearance and agreement which is full of promise and encouragement. Certain trades in the Dominion have suffered from the unemployment of some of their members during this last autumn and winter- Flaxmillers and fellmongers were among the earliest to feel the ‘ tightness ’ of money resulting from financial crises abroad, then the building trades and general labourers found many of their number out of work. The scarcity of employment was not universal, but was locally severe, especially in Wellington. Every effort was made by the Government to meet the difficulty by expediting proposed building operations, and by placing some of the men at bushfelling or on public works. The financial depression is now apparently over ; flax-mills are beginning to re-open, and building contracts are being let. With the spring, the high prices of our staple exports, and the productivity of the country generally, which has been undiminished during the time of stress, will again induce prosperity.”