IS ARBITRATION A FAILURE?

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 65, 16 March 1908, Page 5

IS ARBITRATION A FAILURE?

MINISTER FOR LABOUR -SAYS Js T O. TROUBLE CAUSED BY NONUNIONISTS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. A gentleman who is largely interested in industrial undertakings throughout the Dominion made the assertion to a "New Zealand Times" reporter that the position of industries in New Zealand today is almost dangerous. There is now quite an intense feelings amongst industrial men owing to the unrest on the part of the labourers. "Employers had now," he said, "no control over the men whatever, and two or three unions were simply waiting to see what would be the result of the Blackball strike before they took action themselves. People who were running industries involving the employment of much labour found it increasingly difficult to get capital together. They could not get their financial business carried out by financial institutions as they could in the past. The fact was that there was a general feeling that there was not the same security for capital engaged in industrial enterprises that there was some time ago, consequently the purse strings were being held tighter than heretofore. During the last few months endeavours have been made to Boat several undertakings, notably coalmines, the capital of which a year ago ivould have been subscribed readily." When these statements were brought under the notice of the Hon. Mr. Millar, Minister for Labour, he said: "I do not :onsider the industrial position any nore acute thali it has been for some;ime. Beyond the general dissatisfaction, svhich seems to be world-wide, a great ,vave of discontent with existing conditions seems to be sweeping over the workers. It goes deeper down than a natter of hours and wages. You will md it in America, Europe, and Asia, is well as in New Zealand, and it does lot centre around the Conciliation and Arbitration Act." ■■ Alluding to recent labour troubles, Mr. Miliar pointed out that in every case the .rouble was -with unorganised men. "There was," he said, "'no union, no ward, and the Court had no jurisdiction; herefore, the-men had absolute freedom o make their bargain in their own way. t is the formation of unions which proects everybody. The mien are ..protected, igainst cutting of wages, and" the em>loyers have reaped benefit from the tate of things which- have prevailed mder the Act. It has been in operation* ow for fifteen years, and the only strikes roper during that period have been two=— he Slaughtermen and the Blackball liners." i

Concerning the alleged withdrawal of capital from industry, Mr. Millar said: "The figures in the Yearbook go to disprove the statement. They show an increase in the capital invested, both in land, building and machinery, and there is, likewise, a big increase in the number of hands employed." The complaint at present is, not of scarcity of capital, but of the insufficient number of hands available for some industries. The Arbitration Act, to judge its results,' has been a success. It has perpetuated for fifteen years peaceful relationship between the two sides.