INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS

Southland Times, Issue 18845, 10 June 1920, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS

PROPOSED NATIONAL CONFERENCE. APPEAL TO EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION. (Per United Press Association.} WELLINGTON, June 9. The conference of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation opened to-day to discuss matters relating to industry, Mr A. C. Mitchell (Wellington) presiding. The chairman reviewed the circumstances which led up to the meeting, and explained that the chief purpose would be to come to a decision in regard to the advisability of agreeing to a National Industrial Conference such as had been proposed by the Welfare League, and representatives of the Farmers’ Union, the New Zealand Industrial Corporation, and the associated Chambers of Commerce would presently attend for the purpose of an' exchange of views. He would invite the fullest and freest discussion. It was the desire of all those present to arrive, if possible, at some solution of the problems which were at the root of the existing condition of industrial unrest all over the world. At this stage the visitors were received, Messrs L. 0. Tripp, D. McLaren, and A. P. Harper representing the Welfare League; Messrs Sydney Kirkcaldie and A. F. Roberts, the Associated Chambers of Commerce; Messrs C. J. Ward and F. W. F. Vosseler, the Industrial Corporation of New Zealand); ■and Messrs W. J. Poison and E. C. Pack, the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. Mr Tripp explained that Mr C. P. Skerrstt, K.C., president of the League, who was keenly interested in the question of the National Industrial Conference, had unavoidably been detained in Dunedin. He himself was there as representing Mr Skerrett, but the main statement of the case for the Welfare League's proposal had been left to Mr McLaren. Mr McLaren then addressed the meeting, and made an urgent appeal for a National Industrial Conference. It had been urged, he said, that such a conference would do no good, and would produce nothing, but even if it were only negative in its results it would serve to establish points of contact on matters of basic principle between employers and workers. The time was ripe for a review of the existing legislative machinery for dealing with industrial matters. Our industrial legislation was chaotic. What was wanted was that these matters should he taken out of the hands of politicians and settled in principle by those best able to do so, those concerned as 1 workers and employers in the industries themselves. Mr Poison also addressed the meeting. After the delegation had retired, the conference went into committee and engaged in a general discussion. The Conference will resume to-morrow.