TRADE AND LABOR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 239, 18 March 1915, Page 7

TRADE AND LABOR.

SHOULD WAGES INCREASE? By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, .March 17. The employers' reply to the workers' contention that the Arbitration Court should resume the hearing of industrial disputes was hoard to-day.

Air Pryor, secretary of the Employers' Federation, said upon the decision of the court depended to a considerable extent the existence of some businesses, the i|Uostion as to a further increase of prices in certain directions and the empioyniont of a not inconsiderable number of workers. The court was really called upon to decide a, momentous national ipiestioii. Mr Justice Stringer said that was too sweeping a statement. The application was only to open the doors of the court. If an industry would be so sei'iou-ly affected as to close it up if an award were made, the court miisl to given credit for recognising that.

<.'(i!itimiin<r, Mr I'ryor contended that the ;i]>i)lic;itiuii was not calculated to a>sist employers in their endeavour to maintain normal conditions. It was really an application to enable workers' unions to prosecute tlicir claims for higher wajres, shorter hours ami more restricted conditions of work. The workers desired the court to infer that because prices had risen in some directions the employers were making enhanced profits. It must he, obvious that, unless manufacturers and traders were taking advantage of the needs of the people, since the demand as well as the price hail risen, they must be doin™ le-S profitable business (ban before the war. lie proposed to submit information which would show (hat the employers witc not only 'iirnitii,- smail'-r profits, but were in many ca-es eavrvi"K on business absolutely at a loss. Argument is proceeding.