Avoid union clash, say F.O.L. and employers

Press, 29 November 1978, Page 11

Avoid union clash, say F.O.L. and employers

PA Auckland The National Government should not invite confrontation with the unions,' both the Federation of I Labour and Employers Federation say, but farmers want a tougher line. The president of the F.O.L. (Sir Thomas Skinner)' said that it would be I National’s last term off Government if it did not I markedly change its policy on industrial relations. Commenting on National’s [ reduced majority, Sir I Thomas said: “The Govern-; ment has to have a good; look at itself. It has to start to realise that the only way; New Zealand can get out o"fl its economic problems is by[ getting together and not in-; viting confrontation.” He said the public had' shown in “no uncertain terms” that they were not satisfied with the economy,! industrial relations, and the continual confrontation and antagonism created and

( spread through society from; [the top. If the boundaries had not ; ■ changed markedly in favour! ,'of National, then Labour;! '[would be the Government[i ;[now, Sir Thomas said. The;! result was a protest vote i against National. : The Labour, leader (Mr 1 Rowling) came out “streets!' [ahead” of Mr Muldoon ini' (the campaign: his campaign 1 [was one of facts and fund-, [amentals compared with the; £ | recriminations and con- , [ frontations of Mr Muldoon, . [Sir Thomas said. ■ I The immediate past-presi-, I;dent of the Employers’ Fed- i . eration (Mr J. K. Dobson! ' J said that on the return of '[the National Government t [employers would want ton 'see a greater use of the. Industrial Relations Council I I [ to come up with a suitable;' i; industrial relations system, [i (The F.O.L. and Ernploy- , I ers’ Federation representa-1 ■ Htives make up the council [[ I together with the Govern-!' II ment.) ['

The election result showed 'the public desire for a new approach to industrial relations and economic problems, Mr Dobson said. He agreed with Sir Thomas that the Government should not invite confrontation. The national president of Federated Farmers (Mr A. F. Wright) said that farmers would look for a tougher line on the industrial scene. | The Government’s immediate job was to help sort out the problems in the freezing industry. Mr Wright said that the last two Government's had become “careless” of attitudes in the electorates and now — with a smaller majority—the National Government would become more responsive and acceptable, i Farmers were keen to see [Mr Maclntyre retained as iMinister of Agriculture, Mr IWright said.