EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 242, 18 November 1909, Page 3

EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION

THE EXECUTIVE'S REPOitr. Jly Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Wed lcsday. The Employers' Federation Co inreneopened to-day. The execute's revolt stated that it was -pleasing to report that the signs of industrial unrest which were so apparent when la it v-.-ar's report was written, hud almost I'tKirely passed away. In the opinion of 'lie ese cutive, the principal cause of the : vosr-nt period of comparative industrial peace was tJii- recent depression in trade and the consequent surplus of labor supply, it had been advanced that the stetting up of the Conciliation Councils had had a considerable eflect upon the situation, but while the executive admitted tlmt a large number of so-called disputes had been settled by means of tlic Conciliation Councils, it could not be said that, they had been an important factor in promoting industrial peace. Duriu" February and July no fewer than seventy of these disputes had been dealt with by iiiL-.ins of the Conciliation Councils and Arbitration Court or settled by industrial agreements. The new legislation is reviewed at some length and the report continues; "In a greater degree than ever before labor leaders are pressing their elaiiiis for the nationalisation of all means of product.on, distribution and wealth, i While it may be a matter for congratu- 1 lation that the Liberal Party should be associated from the extreme Labor i Party, it rests with employers to see to i it that their deputy does not secure that 3 dominance which will enable it to die- t 1 tate terms and will secure the introdiic- I turn of further socialistic legislation. , There is no question but that the in- i dustries of the Dominion have as many c burdens and restrictions imposed upon ( tnem as they can possibly s . The Conference approved of theppri- t oipje of the New Zealand Local Time 8 isill, and appointed a delegate to attend c the committee of the House tomorrow q Mr. Sidey, M.P., author of the Bill, ad- r dressed the Conference.

Wellington, Last Night. At the Employers' Conference the following officers were elected:—President, Mr. W. G. Foster; vice-president, Hon. C. M.L.C.; treasurer, Mr. R. A. Scott'; trustee, Mr. W. H. Bennett; Parliamentary committee, Messrs. J. A 41len, M.P., C. M. Banks, J. Beveridge, H. Innes, S. S. Kirkealdie, G. H. Chapman N. F. Morley, H. Seaton, L. S. Humphries. IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS. It was resolved to urge on the Government or- the Commissioner of Taxes that at least 5 per cent, on the full [value of all machinery be allowed off the income-tax. The attention of the Minister of Labor is to be directed to the point that the forwarding' of the Conciliation Council's recommendations as agreements to be forthwith converted into awards is contrary to clause 43 of the Arbitration Act.

It was decided to recommend that the wages named in the Arbitration' Court awards shall not apply to the Government, municipal, or public relief works, started to relieve distress and unemployment.