NO INDUSTRIAL TROUBLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 768, 14 September 1929, Page 9

NO INDUSTRIAL TROUBLE

EMPLOYERS SATISFIED WITH ARBITRATION COMMENT IN ANNUAL REPORT That the past year has been free from any serious industrial trouble in New Zealand is commented on with satisfaction in the twenty-eigth annual report of the Auckland Provincial Employers' Association, which will be presented at the annual meeting in the Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, September 26. During the year 20 industrial disputes were handled by tlie association before the Conciliation Council or the Arbitration Court, many being settled before the council. Union assessors are reluctant to come to an agreement that does not increase wages. However, the court has shown no inclination to grant a rise above the basic rate fixed in 1925, since Government statistics show a slight drop in the cost of living. The association is well satisfied with the employers’ representative on the Arbitration Court, Mr. L. J. Schmitt, who replaced Mr. G. T. Booth on his retirement. “The abnormal amount of unemployment throughout the country is a matter of grave concern to all of us who are interested in the welfare of our Dominion and its industries,” continues the report. “The unemployment commission set up by the Government as a result of the Industrial Conference held in March, 1928, has met on several occasions, but as yet has brought down no report. To those who study the question of finding work, both for surplus adult labour and rising generation, the only true solution appears to he in a more intensive settlement of unoccupied or partly occupied lands. It will be readily admitted that everyone is not adapted for farm life, but such settlement of land will automatically lead to increased employment in our secondary industries.” The financial position of the association is almost unchanged. The membership now stands at 1,226, excluding indirect members through affiliated bodies.