‘Greatest Weakness’ In N.Z. Industry

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31982, 8 May 1969, Page 1

‘Greatest Weakness’ In N.Z. Industry

(New Zealand Prese Association)

WELLINGTON, May 7. Lack of training for skilled supervising staff was the greatest weakness in New Zealand industry, the Secretary of Labour (Mr N. S. Woods) said to members of Wellington South Rotary today.

‘Too often supervisors and foremen are appointed over* night from general working staff. Because a man is a good worker and knows his own field, this does not automatically qualify him to control other workers. “Inadequate, if any, training is given on personnel management and employer and employee liaison, an essential of any industry. “To this reason alone, one can attribute the high redundancy rate and labour turnover,” Mr Woods said. Discrepancies in standardised wage rates between Government and private companies had also contributed to the present industrial turmoil. So far there was no council of appeal where an employee might refuse wage

changes, apart from the conciliation council and the Arbitration Court which regulated wage orders. Such an appeal authority was really necessary in enabling workers to air their grievances, and to appeal against monopolies, Mr Woods said.

Trade unions could intervene for a unionist’s .basic rights, yet redundancy and dismissal could not be challenged. Rapid changes in industrial technology and the increasing use of machinery, without adequate explanation and preparation of workers, contributed to the rise in unemployment. Preparation was essential in employer-employee relations, as was security of employment.