REDUCED COSTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 261, 3 November 1932, Page 5

REDUCED COSTS.

NEW CONCILIATION SYSTEM. EFFECT OF ALTERATION. EMPLOYEES' POINT OF VIEW. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The reduction in coete effected through the amending of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Actj either through new agreement or eimply through the cancelling of existing awards without new agreements, was referred to in the annual report of the New Zealand Employers' Federation presented at the annual meeting to-day. It said the amendment of the Arbitration Act was the most important event in the history of industrial relationships which had occurred for many yeare either in this or any other country. It was not anticipated by responsible employers that so revolutionary a change in the methods of determining conditions of employment, including wages, could be made without difficulties being encountered. Fortunately, although there had been difficulties, they had not eo far been very serious* and it might be said on the whole that the new system was working fairly satisfactorily. The report further stated: "It is quite possible that threats of industrial strife made at the time of coming into force of the amendment of the Act had the effect of locking up capital and preventing any industrial expansion during the laet few months. If agreements with. some of the larger and more responsible workers' organisations can be reached it would go a long way to restore confidence and stimulate industrial trade and activity. On the other hand, an extension of the strikes which have been holding up certain industries recently or the development of anything in the nature of a general hold-up can only increase the already heavy burden the Dominion is carrying and further postpone any improvement in trade conditions."