OUR ARBITRATION ACT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1074, 11 March 1913, Page 4

OUR ARBITRATION ACT.

BRITISH M.P.’S. OPINION. In his recently published book “The,hiving Wage,” Mr Philip Snowden, M.P., makes appreciative reference to New Zealand’s Arbitration Act. “By way ot removing the tears of British trades unionists, who fear that compulsory arbitration would weaken unionism,’’ he says, “it may be mentioned that since the passing of this Act in New Zealand trade unions have increased sevenfold.” Mr Snowden is not ignorant of the strictures which have been passed upon the Act by both sides in the industrial controversy. “The working of the New Zealannd Act,” he says, “has been criticised by both employers and workmen. The employers complain that it is unfair against them and the workmen that it is unfair against them.” The obvious answer to the criticism of all kinds that has been levelled against the Act is, in Mr Snowden’s opinion, the fact that the Act has been in operation for eighteen years, and, though it has been amended as experience has shown the need, there has been no demand for its repeal. He quotes the Californian State Commissioner as stating in an official report that the unskilled worker in New Zealand is the best paid man in the world, and that since the institution of the arbitration and conciliation system wages in New Zealand in many trades have risen from 50 to 100 per cent. In Britain, on the other band, in thejlast eight years, wages have declined on an average by 13 per cent, while the cost of living has risen by 40 per cent. In Mr Snowden’s opinion, the workers of New Zealand are very lucky fellows, indeed.