ARBITRATION AWARDS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 34, 2 October 1931, Page 3

ARBITRATION AWARDS

(Press Assn.

premier say5 restrictions are hampering employment SYSTEM UNDER EXAMINATION

— By Telegraph — Copyright) .

WELLINGTON, Thursday. Legislation suspending the Arbitration Court awards is being considered by the Government, it being believed that award conditions are hampering industry. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, replying to a deputattion from the Federation of Labour to-day stated it was clear that awards were making the unemployment position more difficult. Cabinet was examining the arbitration system with a view to providing for the possibility of more employment. Mr. Forbes informed the deputation that there would be a further opportunity for discussing the question when it came before Parliament. Associated with the Prime Minister were the Minister of Public Works, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, and the Minister of Labour, the Hon. A. Hamilton. The deputation was introduced by Mr. P. Fraser, M.P. Mr E. Kennedy expressed the Federation's concern at the rumours in circulation to the effect that the Government intended to suspend awards. Mr S. D. Cornwall, secretary of the Federation, said that it was suggested that if any change were proposed, the workers. representatives should be given a chance to discuss the question in conference with the employers and the Government. The Prime Minister: "We have had a conference, and you and I were present." Working Satisfactorily Mr Cornwall said that the proposals made at the Industrial conference were known, but the present intentions of the Government were not. The arbitration system was working satisfactorily and if any alteration were made, ,the workers were entitled to know what was proposed.

Mr A. W. Croskey said that New Zealand had been singularly free from industrial troubles since the passing of the Arbitration Act, and this was due largely to the fact that there was a means for the adjustment of industrial disputes. The Dominion was not the only country suffering from the post-war depression but no other country had seen fit to suspend the operations of industrial agreements. Much unemployment could be done away with by abolishing all overtime. Another course that could be followed was to shorten the working week-and so make room for more workers. No Two Opinions "I did not think there were two opinions left about the 10 per cent. cut," the Prime Minister added. "I really thought the workers would recognise that it was absolutely inevitable, but when .you come along and say that it was one of the things to which you are opposed, and that the cut should be restored, I can see it is no good discussing questions as to what is absolutely necessary to the country. "As reasonable and sensible men," he continued, "the deputation must realise that overhead costs have to be cut down. There is no question that costs are. coming down and that the cost of living is coming down." This was greeted with dissent by several members of the deputation. The Prime Minister said that it was obvious that there was no common ground on which they could meet for :diisdussion. ' When the Governmen Statistician's figures showed that the cost of living was coming down they were not believed, but when it was shown that the cost of living had gone up, this was accepted immediately. The Government did not wish to do anything unfair but it was clear that awards were making the1 unemployment position more difficult.