EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1915, Page 2

EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION.

LESSONS OF THE STRIKE. -■ INDUSTRIAL UNREST. By Telef »jh.—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. According 4o the annual report presented at the New Zealand Employers' Federation meeting to-day, the year has boon comparatively clear of industrial strife. At the same time, the report adds, there are indications that some of the leaders of the Federation of Labor responsible for the 1913 strike are already forgetting the disastrous results which their selfish and foolish plans brought upon their loyal followers. In the coal mining industry there appears to be a movement to cause the workers to become dissatisfied with their positions under the industrial agreements entered into at that time. In connection with seamen and firemen several disturbing circumstances have occurred, causing considerable dislocation of trade. Four different steamers have been delayed recently by the excessive demands made by the seamen and firemen for a voyage from New Zealand to Australia,

The report comments on the significant, faet that no aftion was taken by the Labor Department in any of the cases mentioned.

The Employers' Federation is not satisfied with the recent decisions of the Arbitration Court. After a reference to the application by labor representatives that the court should resume the hearing of industrial disputes, the report states that the court decided it could not refuse to bear applications, but it warned the workers' representatives not to expect, unless in exceptional cases, and for very good reasons, that increased wages would be given during this time of Empire stress. Notwithstanding the warning given, the court was almost immediately flooded with applications for new awards and, in the comparatively short time which has intervened, some seventy or eighty awards have been made by the court. In this connection, something like consternation has been caused by recent court decisions. Wages have beon increased and further restrictions have been placed upon the trades and industries of the dominion. The opinion has been freely expressed that the court has failed in its appreciation of the evidence of employers, and has imposed burdens upon them which, in some cases at least, they will be unable to bear. In other cases the increased cost will be passed on, and thus the burden of the increased cost of living will be made heavier than before.