Increased Industrial Unrest Expected

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32252, 21 March 1970, Page 12

Increased Industrial Unrest Expected

New Zealanders were living in an explosive climate which might lead to volcanic eruptions, the retiring president of the New Zealand division of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries (Mr H. E. Read) said at the annual meeting of the division in Christchurch last evening.

“Our overfull employmenti problems have deteriorated. I iwith a significant tightening i of the labour market. This is; leading to industrial unrest I which, on present indications,; threatens to develop and will; be more serious in the months ahead,” he said. [ The adequacy of New Zealand’s arbitration system was

(being challenged in many quarters and it was possible that workers would prefer direct negotiations with emIployers for changes in wages and working conditions, said Mr Read. “Sometimes I feel workers, would ultimately benefit from more responsibility being placed on their shoulders. For instance, workers should be encouraged to set their own realistic production targets with appropriate incentives which in due course could lead to more direct representation in management,” he said. Mr Read said that the economic climate for farmers was far less favourable than it had been for years and had been accentuated by serious droughts. Wool prices had not improved and, although meat prices had assisted, the value of a farm as an economic unit was causing concern.

“Rising costs cannot continue to be absorbed without a marked drop in income and without ultimately affecting our export trade. “In these circumstances I wonder if it is wise to permit the value of our imports to increase substantially. Surely this is the time to increase our overseas reserves still! further,” he said.