“PIN-PRICKING” CONDEMNED

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22594, 27 December 1938, Page 8

“PIN-PRICKING” CONDEMNED

Advice to Employers And Workers

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

Policy of Firmness Indicated

U-Rlas 48 SO Cl ATZOIf TBI.EGB4M.) AUCKLAND, December 26. A statement was made to-day by the Hon. P. C. Webb, as Minister for Labour, concerning his policy in respect of the portfolio he has taken over, and his administrative attitude toward employers and workers alike in the maintenance of industrial harmony and progress.

“It is pleasing- to note that industrial harmony is much more in evidence just now than in the past; but nevertheless there is still far too much friction that could well be avoided,” said Mr Webb. “When employers and workers meet together and bring about an agreement providing all the machinery for dealing with disputes, there is no justification for the pin-pricking and stoppages of work that do so much harm. I appeal to employers and workers alike to face up to their responsibilities. . “If companies and captains of industry expect to secure profitable returns from their industries, they must co-operate with their employees in a spirit of goodwill. They must also prevent some of their managers and pannikin bosses from throwing their weight about and irritating their workmen to the point of exasperation. On the other hand, the workers must realise too that u unionism is worth while at all they have got to live up to the spirit of it. Unionism means united and cooperative action on the part of members of unions, and if a few irresponsible men in industrial unionism imagine that they can stop work and upset industry at their own sweet will, then they have another think coming to them.

Discipline Recommended “As Minister for Labour, it Is intention to co-operate to the fullest extent with the Federation of Labouin promoting the best interests of industry in this country and I am confident that the federation wdl apply itself to disciplining those members who want to take the affairs ofthe federation and their unions in their own hands and who desire to be the government of the country. At the same time, many of these men have had little experience in union matters, and do not appreciate to the full their obligations to their comrades. “When the present Government came Into office, there were approximately 80,000 registered unionists; to-day we have more than 250,000. Consequently, many of them have not a full appreciation of the trials and struggles that older and more experienced unionists had to go through in order to bring about social and industrial security. They now all enjoy the action of some irresponsible unionists in spasmodically stopping and upsetting the productive agencies of the country. This not only has a serious effect on our national production, which determine* our standard of living, but it also results in the stabbing of their own unions and the Government in the back at the same time.

Stoppages of Work

“Stoppages of work are justifiable only when the safety of workers is concerned or where there is glaring victimisation. I would consider any body of men spineless who allowed their mates to be victimised: but victimisation does not mean the reprimanding of a worker or workers for swinging the lead or refusing to do the allotted work. I cannot imagine any set of employers embarking on a campaign of victimisation. The Labour Government has established a record in improving working conditions and income, in many cases up to the highest level in the world, and when the Social Security Act comes into being on April 1 next year the workers of New Zealand will be placed on the highest plane in the industrial world. These conditions can only be maintained and extended by all workers putting their full energy into their work.

“Our desire is to help New Zealand people to enjoy the maximum of income and the minimum of working hour's that every industry can afford; but we cannot take more out of the national income pool than we put into it. We must increase production, and we must avoid industrial friction.”

"Portfolio Not Popular”

Mr Webb said that since becoming Minister for Labour he had made contact with the heads and staffs of the department. His first impression was their wonderful loyalty and affection for their former Minister, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong. “I feel sure,” added Mr Webb, “that if I receive half of the same loyal devotion I will consider myself very fortunate indeed. The portfolio of Labour has never been popular, because it is associated with industrial friction. However, the foundation of great work has been well and truly laid by Mr Armstrong, and on that foundation I hope to build. In the first place, the question of employment was one that had to be faced, and several thousands of men were given work on scheme No. 13, the major portion of the wages being paid by the department. The men have been employed largely through local bodies, and while much of their labour may not be considered productive, they nevertheless have rendered excellent service to the Dominion. Roads are being made and many amenities provided or greatly improved. Moreover, the men so employed have earned the money they have got. In order that the whole question may be investigated, we have decided to carry on scheme No. 13 until January 28, when the position will be reviewed.

Seasonal Occupations

"Then there is the question of seasonal occupations. It is receiving serious attention. I have got info contact with the Ngw Zealand Farmers’ Union through its secretary, Mr A. P. O’Shea, expressing my wish for the union’s co-operation in assisting the employment division of the department to provide the number of workers and the class of labour required. Mr O’Shea has agreed to recommend his executive committees throughout New Zealand to meet in conference the heads of the employment division

and representatives of the Public Works Department, to ascertain the number of men that will be required for harvesting or other seasonal farm work. This will enable placement officers to make essential preparation ahead for supplying the labour needed. The Hon. R. Semple, as Minister for Public Works, has already stated that men on public works will be released for harvesting without losing their status as public works employees.” Reverting to the necessity for everyone to play the game in maintaining and developing industry, Mr Webb said that the type of man who refused to play his full part was no good either to the Labour movement or to the country as a whole. “He will receive no consideration from my officers, the Minister added, “but workers who pull their weight and play the game (and they constitute a great majority) will have every ounce of my time and energy in an effort to improve their lot * Transferring of Capital

“One final word to captains of industry. Many of them have charged their guns to blow into smithereens a Government they cannot defeat at the polls. Some of them have adopted irritating methods such as transferring capital to other countries. New Zealand was good enough for them to make their money in, and they should play the game by the people and their Government. It is their duty to help to develop New Zealand s resources and provide a good standard of working conditions. Their unpatriotic action in sending capital abroad will get them nowhere. If they imagine that they can harpoon the Government by adopting such tactics they also have another think coming teftthem I have every confidence in the future, and ! feel certain that if we pull together we can make New Zealand the industrial and social paradise of the world.

thousands of pounds saved IN THE HAYING FIELDS. Thousands of pounds ave . been saved this year by fanners of Canterbury as a result of the use of the latest scientific haying equipment. The weather has been changeable, and it has been necessary to find some quicker method of getting the hay from the field to the stack. In a number of cases, the latest McCorrmckDeering haying machines have been used with good effect. Hay that could not possibly have been saved with the old machines is now safely an the stack. McCormick-Deering haying machines make for faster, more efficient haymaking. INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER COMPANY of N.Z., LIMITED, CASHEL STREET.