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tatives on the special sub-committee. There are also attached separate recommendations from the employers' and from the workers' representatives for amendments to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. A real attempt was made to obtain a unanimous recommendation on this subject, but on a crucial point agreement was found impossible. A perusal of the two statements will, however, show that there are many points on which the two parties are almost in agreement. We hand them to you, sir, with the hope that our work may prove of some assistance in furthering the welfare of our country. The Right Hon. Mr. Coates (Prime Minister) : Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, first of all I want to express the appreciation of the Government — and I think I may add the appreciation of the members of the Parliamentary Committee —for the time and attention you have given to the various questions submitted to the Conference. I believe that you have considered all these matters from a purely national point of view. I am sure that each delegate has approached these problems with an open mind and with a desire to serve the community that he represents, and has always had before him the best interests of our country. I recognize the difficulty presented in connection with these matters and the necessarily varying points of view. 1 believe that the chief benefit of the Conference will not necessarily be the practical result, but the advantage gained from the fact that a better understanding has been brought about as between employer and employee. It is obviously desirable, if at all possible, that a good understanding should exist between the parties in industry if we are to have industrial peace in our community. Here, gentlemen, let me say that lam sure the members of the Parliamentary Committee, who have been closely associated with the work of the Conference, feel that their efforts have been amply repaid by reason of the atmosphere that has been created, and which has been communicated to the people of New Zealand, indicating that there is a strong desire that employer and employee should understand each others difficulties and viewpoints. I take it that the Imperial Conference would be almost an example of what you have passed through — in both cases it is not so much the resolutions passed that count as the appreciation of the various viewpoints expressed by the several delegates. In this case, Mr. Chairman, I take it that an excellent atmosphere has been created in the Conference, such an atmosphere as will ensure that in the future, before industrial difficulties will be allowed to assume a serious aspect, the delegates here present at any ra.te will make every effort to prevent industrial conflict. I have not yet looked through the resolutions, but I recognize the difficulties that have occurred in securing unanimity. Last session Parliament made an effort to see if it was possible to legislate in such a way as to meet the wishes of those concerned on both sides, and at the same time to secure industrial peace and efficiency for the future. I understand that upon one vital point you have been unable to agree, and it will be difficult for the Government to launch legislation likely to meet with general acceptance by all those directly concerned. The work which you have done and the reports of the Conference will be carefully studied. I believe that not only the resolutions passed, but the remarks that have been made and the papers that have been presented by the representatives of the various interests and by the Professors of Economics, will be read widely in other parts of the British Empire as well as in New Zealand, and will possibly be sought after by countries outside the Empire. It is a cause for satisfaction, lam sure, that we have been able to get the representatives of the various industrial organizations together. That in itself is an accomplishment, and augurs well for the future of New Zealand. All sections of the community will be pleased to know that we have been able to bring together so comprehensive a representation, the units of which have been able to get their legs under the same table and discuss in detail the various industrial matters which require consideration in the interests of peace in industry. I desire to congratulate those present on the work that has been done and the good feeling which has prevailed throughout the Conference, and to say on behalf of the Government how much we appreciate the time and attention you have devoted to the consideration of the various problems submitted to the Conference. May I also thank the Chairman of the Conference for the excellent manner in which he has carried out his duties, and I also thank the delegates who accepted Mr. Thomson as their Chairman. The selection of a Chairman was a somewhat difficult matter to settle, but I believe that Mr. Thomson has lived up to the high reputation that he has gained for himself in New Zealand, and that you have all been gratified by the impartial manner in which he has handled the business of the Conference. The various resolutions passed by Conference will necessarily require careful examination by the Government, and I trust that in due course the results will give satisfaction to all parties concerned. It may be necessary in the future to keep before us the desirability of convening future conferences, representative of employers and employees in the primary and secondary industries, to consider various questions from the widest point of view, that of our country. If we can get industrial peace in this country there is really nothing to fear. It means everything to everybody, to have each section of the community satisfied that it is getting a fair chance and a fair deal. If we can secure that, then we need not worry much about other things, because it means prosperity and happiness to every individual in our country. Valedictory. Light refreshments were then served, after which the Chairman proposed the usual loyal toast, and the Hon. Mr. Weston proposed the toast, " The Eight Hon. the Prime Minister, the Parliamentary Committee, and the Hon. Mr. Barr, Manager of the Conference." Mr. Weston said : Mr. Chairman, the Right Hon. the Prime Minister, and comrades—l think, in view of the very friendly atmosphere with which this Conference is ending, I may call you that—it is unnecessary for me to repeat what has been so often said in the later stages of this Conference, that we are much indebted to you, Mr. Coates, for the happy thought, and to Parliament for endorsing that happy thought, of calling this Conference. We have achieved a good deal in agreement, and I venture to say that time will show that we have achieved a great deal more in spirit. Here again your kindly thought, shown at the very commencement of the Conference, has had a good deal to do

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