WORKER AND INDUSTRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 418, 1 September 1928, Page 5

WORKER AND INDUSTRY

LABOUR FOR CONFERENCE SPIRIT GUARDING OF LIVINGSTANDARDS (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. “The workers are not going to enter into any arrangement that will mean a reduction of living standards. We are living in the twentieth century, and that should not be necessary/ This was the comment with which Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West) opened discussion to-day on the report’ of the Industrial Conference held during the session. Some Reformers, said Mr. Savage, appeared to favour the philosophy that wages should be reduced. However, he thought it highly encouraging that both sides had been able, as they did at the recent conference, to discuss questions sanely on their merits. Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland West), was confident that the basis of stability in industry should be unionism. Organisation of industry on sound lines, with a specific body appointed to consider industry and working, marketing and living conditions in all their phases, was the secret of success. English markets were being invaded by the products of nations which had lower living standards. Nations were becoming more self sustaining, and the world markets were consequently narrowing. Hence New Zealand, too, had to become as self-containing as was compatible with her primary resources. TROUBLE WITH PARLIAMENT Mr. R. McKeen said the trouble with Parliament was partly that the majority of its members consisted of farmers, who were inclined to legislate in their own interests. It should not make any difference whether a member owned a farm or a jamfactory. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) thought the conference had been an excellent idea, and it had done some good. The recommendations it had made should be given effect to by the Government He was sorry the Government members had been so apathetic. Mr. J. A. Nash (Palmerston North) said the conference had been most effective in creating a spirit of goodwill between employer and employees. With another conference pending, the Government would be unwise to give legislative effect to the principles discussed at the last conference.