COST OF WAGES.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20622, 11 August 1932, Page 11

COST OF WAGES.

BENEFIT OF ARBITRATION AMENDMENTS. SHEARING AND FREEZING INDUSTRIES. The good effeet of the Government's amendment of the Industrial Conciliation snd Arbitration Act and the need to reduce costs in the thear r ing and freezing industries* are discussed in the report of the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union, which was adopted at the annual meeting last night. Unless effective means are adopted to reduce costs with regard to freezing and the handling of stock, and produce generally to a minimum, states the report, there would appear to be no chanee of recovery for the primary producing industries with overseas prices at or anywhere near their present level. " "The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment which is now on the Statute Book marks the culmination of years of effort on the part of onr federation, which has, since its formation, consistently opposed the fixation of costs of production without regard to the selling value of the product. Your executive feels that the main obstacle to economic readjustment within the Dominion has been rtooved through the abolition of the compulsory principle contained in the old Act. The parties in any industry will now be able ; to meet each other in Conciliation Council with an equal sense of responsibility, and the result of the amendment to the Act should be that where honest and straightforward discussions take | place between employer and employee, that a basis of common agreement for, the carrying on of industry will be found which will allow of industry generally being -maintained on sound lines, and a maximum amount of employment given on a fair basis of payment. Sliding Scale Proposed. "The Shearers' and Shed Hands' Award has expired, and it will be necessary to meet the workers' representatives with a view to, if possible, reaching an. agreement for a new award. Your "executive trusts that it will be found possible to arrange for an agreement for a period preferably on a sliding scale, which will allow of an increase in rates of pay in proportion to increases in price received for wool. In view, of the abnormally low pric •.■? now being received for our .staple, product, your executive is of opinion that it will not be possible to continue to pay the workers in our shearing sheds at the old currency rates. Your .executive would be very happy indeed' to. ba in a position to recommend an increase in rates for shearers and other workers in the industry over that paid last year, but with prices at their present' level, it is suggested that a continuation of payment of last year's rates is entirely out of the question. "The same remarks apply with regard to musterers, packers, and drovers, and both these matters are now receiving the attention of your committee. Government Thanked. "Your executive wishes to place on record its deep appreciation of the assistance rendered to- the industry with, regard to the amendment passed last session, and also itß grateful thanks, on behalf of fiigh-country rnnhblderß, to the Government for its assistance in validating- voluntary agreements made between the parties with regard, to long term mustering engagements -last .season. "Had this relief not been available, both the ranholder and the musterer would have been detrimentally affected, the one through inability to have his country efficiently mustered owing to lack of finance, and jh the case of the worker, by a considerable curtailment of the period of employment and additional travelling costs caused through breaks in periods of employment. Your executive is gratified that, in spite of many misrepresentations, the Government realised the necessity for some relief to be given in this connexion by making it possible for the parties to meet the extraordinary conditions prevailing. " "The Freezing Workers' Award' has also expired, and it will be necessary , for a new agreement to be made for freezing workers for next season. A conference has been held between a special sub-committee representing the North and South Island Freezing Comnanies' Associations, and representatives of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board, the Farmers' Union and our federation, with a view to duenssing" rates of pay and conditions of work in'thls industry for the coming season.