LABOR LEGISLATION A FAILURE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 290, 2 May 1911, Page 5

LABOR LEGISLATION A FAILURE

WARNIXO UTTERANCE BY MR. PRYOR. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, Last Night. Mr. Wm. .Pryor, secretary of the New Zealand Employers' Federation, addressed a large meeting here this evening. In his speech, Mr. Pryor reviewed the history of the Industrial and Conciliation Act, which has now been in operation for sixteen years. Contrary to the fond hope of its sponsors, instead of the Act being the means of stopping all industrial troubles, it had been the means of manufacturing them almost without end. Trade unionism was in the hands of extreme Socialists. Despite increased, wages, shorter hours, and restrictive conditions, the cry in every industry was for more.

There had grown up an organisation called the New Zealand Federation of Labor, whose policy was a policy of strike. Its aim was to secure the cancellation of the registration of all unions under its control, and then when the time seemed opportune, to declare a general strike. The Gold and Coal Miners' Unions, Shearers' and Dairy Factory Employees' Unions, and others, were connected with "the organisation, and there was no doubt that the Waterside Workers' and Seamen's Unions were in sympathy with it. Mr. Pryor declared that the New Zealand Labor Party was a Socialistic organisation in disguise, and indications were not wanting to show that it would take little indeed to promote industrial strife among unions joined to that body. Many predicted that ere long New Zealand would find itself in the throes of the most serious industrial trouble ever known. Mr. Pryor said that labor legislation had been a failure, both from the employers' and from the employees' points of view. Notwithstanding New Zealand's long period of prosperity and high prices, manufactures were throttled, business men were prepared to sell their interests in many cases at considerable sacrifice, and, worse than all, it seemed almost impossible to persuade those having money to put it into labor-employing concerns. He could quote an authentic case of this. Last session much heavier burdens were placed on those affected. A rest from labor legislation was needed, or a period of depression would follow. The speaker also dealt with the shortage of labor and restrictions imposed on apprentices. He advocated n safe and progressive immigration policv to meet the shortage and insufficient birthrate. Overtures by the Federation to Mr. Millar had been mm]", bxt nothing was done, presumably r' t'ie opposition by the Trades and La nor Councils. The position was becoming acute.

Mr. Pryor then dealt with the political outlook. He said that party politics were unknown bv the Federation, but lie pointed out that the position to be feared was that of returning a small radical Socialist party, as it, could, and would, do more harm than a Labor Government bv making Government and Opposition bid aeainst each other for its support. The Labor Party was of opinion that with twelve men in the House it could secure for the workers more than a Labor Government could. The wisest heads in the Dominion should be put together to prevent such a catastrophe, and the interests of the country should be put before party interests.