AUCKLAND EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 195, 16 August 1906, Page 5

AUCKLAND EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION.

SOME REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT. STATE, CAPITAL, AND LABOUR In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet of the Auckland Provincial Employers' Association yesterday afternoon, the president, Mr. D. Goldie, addressed himself at some length to the triangular equation of State, capital, and labour. He said that whilst every precaution would no doubt be taken to minimise as far as possible the evil effects of any extreme legislation submitted in the interests o e labour during the coming session of Parliament, still %v the whole he did not think they had much to fear from such legislation in this session at any rate, for the reason that the Ministers, if they used the common sense with which they were credited, would introduce as little debatable matter as possible, with a view to closing down the House at the earliest possible moment, so that they would have time at their command for a thorough investigation of the country's position and needs. But notwithstanding the course the Government might take, they must not take anything for granted. The fact that a labour section was looking somewhat askance at the new Premier, and declaring that it scarcely looked from him for the wholehearted support obtained from the late Premier, might cause Sir J. Ward to endeavour to give effect to proposals that, if left to his own common sense, he would entirely ignore. It seemed to him (the chairman) that they must make their position as employers perfectly clear. They had at all times the utmost sympathy with the fair and equitable demauds of labour, for most of them, he took it, had gone through exactly the same experience in connection with labour as the working man of to-day, having risen themselves from the ranks. But they were bound to say that if labour had been hedged rounff in those days with the restrictions it was hedged round with to-day they would have been driven out of New Zealand, and some more favoured country would have had the advantage of any little service they had been able to render. What they objected to was the promulgation of those socialistic views which asserted that employ- ; ers were for ever trying to grind down and oppress those whom they employed, so that they might increase their wealth; and, further, the constant demand that all men, irrespective of age or experience, must receive at the employers* bands the same rate of wage as the best and most experienced hand. The result of this state of things Yvas that young men who from lack of experience were not worth the wages fixed by the Arbitration Court for skilled workmen, and Yvho in many cases were not aDowed by the unions to work for less, were driven from their homes into country districts, where unionism was not so vigilant, and this at the very time when parental supervision and guidance were most needed. The State, in its advanced labour legislation, had altogether departed from the position it at one time intended to take up, namely, to act us an intermediary, to be appealed to only when there, was a bona-fide difference between employer and employee. The State now stepped in aud invited eajcih side to make demands, and then, after days of wrangling, in which a great amount of bitterness was engendered, contented itself with embodying its findings in an award that left no room for freedom of contract between those affected. The employee could not sell his labour to the best advantage, nor the employer buy it except at the rate fixed by the award. If the State were asked to settle disputes arising after the ordinary laws of supply and demand had failed to achieve the object in view, then one could understand the position. But to have all contracts between employers and employees fastened down by cast-iron awards, which left no play for agreement between the, parties, except after much trouble, delay, and annoyance, must surely end in unsatisfactory conditions. The practice of Ktate interference in such matters was. still on its trial, and would remain so until a time of depression set in. -Then the matter would be treated in earnest, and. if it came successfully through the ordeal, none, he was sure, woidd rejoice more heartily than the employers themselves. One thing was absolutely necessary, aud it was that if the demands of labour for increased wages and shorter hours were to be always given effect to —and he honestly thought they owght to be tmtil every man had obtained a fair living Yvage —then from time to time the Legislature must increase the duty upon all those articles that could be successfully manufactured in New Zealand, so that the local manufacturers might not bo unduly harassed by being compelled to compete with imported goods introduced into this country from markets where labour was equal in intelligence to our oYvn, but for which the rate of pay was often very much less than onehalf that paid in New Zealand, and where fcrachjnery Yvas superior to anything used here. If this course were adopted, then both labour and capital would be gainers, and although the purchaser might pay somewhat more for the articles used by him, what did it matter, seeing that the earning power of himself and family had been maintained at their full value.

The adoption of the report and accounts was seconded by Mr. A. Clark, and carried without discussion.

The Executive Committee were reelected, as was the auditor, Mr. J. F. Buddie.

A letter was read from the advisory board at Wellington, inviting suggestions from the Auckland body for the agenda paper at the conference of employers, to be held probably some time in October. The president remarked that the Auckland Association were entitled to send four delegates to the conference.