Industrial Conference Elects a Chairman

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 315, 28 March 1928, Page 15

Industrial Conference Elects a Chairman

UNANIMOUS DECISION FIRST HITCH OVERCOME (From Oar Resident Reporter.} WELLINGTON, To-day. The first hitch in the work of the conference of representatives of employers, and various economic and industrial interests, has been overcome by the unanimous election of Mr. A. D. Thomson, formerly Assistant Public Service Commissioner, as chairman of the conference. THE first day of ilie couference was not auspicious. None of the members apparently was in a frame j of mind to settle down to work in { general. The conference did not know j its own mind as to the chairmanship, j or method of procedure. Yesterday’s discussion on the chairmanship followed the nomination of the Hon. J. Barr. Mr. J. Roberts said that the employees had not considered the possibility of anyone in active Parliamentary life acting as chairman. The Prime Minister mentioned the practice of an alternate chairman daily, wTiich, however, Mr. Roberts and the conference generally, did not favour. Mr. Roberts suggested that three j' men from each side should select a | chairman, and eventually the ques-1 tion was referred to a committee con- j sisting of Messrs. Nash, Semple, Brora-1 ley, Poison, Acland, and Brechin. The committee retired to consider j the matter, but when asked for a re- i port just before lunch Mr. Poison confessed that they had not reached finality. When a messenger from the conference had arrived with notice of the general body’s desire to adjourn, he asked permission for further consideration during the luncheon interval, but on resumption still had no recommendation to make. The followig delegates are present: EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES Wellington.—Messrs. A. Cook, P. Cornwell, A. Black, J. Churcliouse, W. Nash, J. Roberts, W. Bromley, J. Tucker, R. Semple. E. Kennedy, and A. Par lane. ] Auckland.—Messrs. O. Mcßrine, T. Bloodworth. J. Furtell, J. P. Johns, and B. Martin. Christchurch. —Messrs. IT. Worrall, J-T. C. Revell, F. R. Cooke, R. A. Brooks, and C. Baldwin. Dunedin. —Messrs. W. Herberts and J. Robinson. Invereaxgill.—Mr. T. O’Byrne. New Plymouth.—Mr. R. Fulton. EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES Employers’ Federation. —The Hon. T. Shailer Weston, Messrs. W. G. Smith, T. O. Bishop, TI. Mainland, and A. G. Henderson. „ T _ . Farmers’ Union. —Messrs. W. J. Poison, R. S. Chadwick, F. Colbeck, W. W. Mulhollaaid, J. Carr. Anlo . Sheepfarmers.—Messrs. H. D.Aelana, R. M. Morten, J. S. Jessep, C. H. Williams <or AV. G. Skerratt), and AA. N. TvicholS °S'airy Farmers. —Messrs. A. Morton, J. G. Brechin, H. H. Stirling, J. Fisher, and Middleton. \ OTHER INTERESTS Chambers of Commerce. —Messrs. 13. J. McGowan and 11. S. ,B. Turner. Manufacturers' Association. —Messrs. F. Campbell, George Finn, and A\. H. ± - Economists. —Professors B E. Murphy (Wellington), H. Belsbaw (Auckland), A. H Tocker (Christchurch), and A. G. ±5. Fi SlSc W. 3ldnt^ Parliamentary John Luke, Messrs. R. McKees, H. E. Holland, P Fraser, M. J. Savage, J. A. Is ash. 1 . Waite G W. Forbes, and E- A. Ransom. Manager of Conference—The Hon. J. heads of Government departments were also present. The only committee appointed was the business committee, consisting o£ Messrs. Stirling, Williams, and Bishop, and Messrs. Glover, Mcßrine, and Roberts. , . An address was delivered by professor Murphy on the arbitration system, and a paper was read on behalf of the Labour delegation. The paper urged that an adjustment calculated to give better results than at present could only be brought about by a greater degree of co-operation than had hitherto prevailed. Trade unionism could never make peace with capitalism in the sense of acquiescing with that system. This, however, did not imply a blind destructive fury against the existing economic order. All sections should get at the facts, and then see how they affected the national well-being. The object of the conference was to discover a way by which a greater measure of social justice could be The report urged that employers and employed are' the victims of a systemlike a tug-of-war, the two sides rarely meeting except as hostile bodies. If the conference regarded its task as part of the permanent necessity to adjust the economic and developmental policies of the rapidly changing world, then this gathering might well he regarded as one of the most important events of recent years. The labour section was anxious to help to restore prosperity, but could only do it effectively if it was assured that those whom it represented would, with other sections, share in the results of this prosperity. The conference adjourned at 3.40 p.m. until It) a.m. to-day. The first business before the conference to-day will be consideration of the report of the committee appointed to recommend a chairman. Once a chairman is appointed, the conference can go ahead with the setting up of group committees. A number of papers may be read also. It was decided that proceedings be open to Press and to public on the production of tickets, limited by the j space available. One proposal on the agenda paper j is that sub-committees should he set | up. and that the general body should | adjourn and meet again early in May. i This is only one indication of many ■ that a lengthy sitting is expected.