EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 111, 26 September 1912, Page 5

EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION

ANNUAL MEETING. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Employers' Federation opened -here to-day, Air. W. liopkirk president, being in the chair.

The Advisory Board, in its report, states that the prevailing industrial unrest has entailed ceaseless watching on the part of those controlling the affairs of the country, and various' movements in the Labor world have received the earnest consideration of the Advisory Board, in order to keep members of the federation in touch with whatever movements have been apparent. Amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act have resulted in accident insurance premiums being increased by 12'/ a per cent., and a further tax upon employers of at least f 15,000 a year. Dealing with the Budget proposals, the board says that the proposed alteration of the 'constitution the Arbitration Court was such that tlfc federation could not do other than oppose it. There was no doubt that the continual tinkering with industrial legislation and the over-increasing burdens placed upon employers was having a detrimental effect upon the expansion of industries and the investment of capital needed for their development, and it was recommended -that! (representations (be made to the Government that assurance be given that, for some time at any rate only amendments necessary for the better administration of the 'present kbtr laws would be made. The wave of industrial unrest at present passing over would afford scope fur much consideration in older countries. There was room for considerable improvement in the conditions of labor, but. it would appear as if the remedying of these evils in New [Zealand had brought (hem no nearer industrial peace. The report reviews tiie chvumstaiicos connected with the Waihi strike and says that the Federation of Labor is evidently determined to reject all proposals lor any settlement, but acceptance of the union's demands.

A review of the industrial -.itnation in Xew Zealand show* that, although pracicnlly all the ilisadvnntaprrfs workers, labor under in the Old World countries have licen made impossible here, there lias been comparatively more real industrial unrest in this country during the past year than in other count rid;, where the same amount of so-called advanced legislation has not been cllVot.nl.

The Advi.-nry Board does not attach much importance to the report, of the Cost of Living Commission. Those employers who did give evidence in most cases tendered statements under compulsion, and in these circumstances the value of the report must be considerably diminit-hed.

The levies made at last annual meeting had been sufl'icient for all requirements. The net income for the vear was fflS.l and the expenditure £!)2S. 'The present credit balance is £:!1S. Wellington. Last. Night. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Employers' Association, W. Ilopkirk. the president, expressed regret at the industrial unrest apparent in the Dominion at the present time, and said he was anxious that; employers should become thoroughly organised, so as to be able, to adequately meet (lie situation. A letter was received from the Industrial Corporation of New Zealand, conveying a resolution passed at the recent conference, to the effect that the Corporation was not in favor of any drastic change being made in the present machinery of the Arbitration Act. It was resolved that the Federation recommend that section 12!) of the Public Works Act be amended in the direction of empowering one central body to issue licenses for vehicular traffic, with the object of dispensing with the necessity of a number of licenses being necessary for one vehicle. The Budget proposals regarding the amendments to the Arbitration Act were considered, but the decision on them was deferred subject to receipt of the report of the special committee wbieh was set up in connection with the matter. It was resolved that the Employers' Federation be enlarged by providing organisers and underwriters for secretaries where necessary. The following officers were elected: President. W. Ilopkirk; viee-pre.-ident. T. Shailer Weston; treasurer. R. A. Scott: trustee, W. If. Bennett; auditor. W. C. Stephen'-. I'.P.A.; Parliamentary Committee, members of the Advisory Board and C. M. Banks. S. S. Kirkcaldie. IT. F. Alien. !,. R. Partridge, W. L. Thompson. A. E. Donne. (_'. N. Cathie, inn., and Vv. .Via.:.