EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 322, 8 October 1908, Page 2

EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION

ANNUAL MEETING. The sixth annual meeting of the N. Z. Employers' Federation was .commenced yesterday, Mr. 11. Inniss, the president, occupying tho chair. Tho delegates wore as previously published, with tho exception that Mr. K. F. England replaced Mr. P. L. Hallenstein, from Canterbury, and Mr. H. D. Bennett, from Tailiape, came in addition. Tho president briefly welcomed the delegates. Mr. H. Broadhead, secretary of the Canterbury association, was appointed reporter of tho proceedings, THE REPORT. The annual report, which was adopted,' stated:— . ■ Your general execut-ivo, in presenting the sixth annual report of the federation, expresses pleasure at being able to say that the combinatioi and organisation of employers vapresentcd by tho New Zealand Employers' Federation is to-day the largest and most powerful tho Dominion has over seen. It is computed that at a low estimate the federation represents an individual membership of over COOO firms and persous. The value of such a combination is shown by the fact that where formerly little or no notice was taken of representations made by employers as individuals, the position to-day is that by reason,, first, of tho fair and moderate attitude adopted by the federation on all questions affecting labour interests, and, secondly, bccauso of tho fact that tho federation now embodies and represents practically the whole of the trading and manufacturing employers of the Dominion, representations made by it oommand respectful and careful consideration. Hasty Legislation. While the committee has to admit that ample opportunity has in most cases been accorded it of expressing the opinion of the federation with respect to measures before Parliament, serious cause for complaint was given by the unseemly . hasty methods adopted in passing the amendments of the Factories Act and Shops and Offices Act in the dying hours of last session. Tho danger arising from such hasty legislation "was apparent in the amendment dealing with the rates of pay to factory workers, when it was found that the clause as finally passed could not bo put into operation. The amendment of the Shops and Offices Act, in providing for a poll of tho electors to determine the day of the weekly half-holiday, is a particularly dangerous provision, and if put into operation will probably result in all shops iu tho four large centres being compelled to close mi the Saturday afternoons, while shops in tho immediately surrounding districts will he allowed to remain open. Such a state of things will prove detrimental to many ■ city retailers, without conferring any substantial benefit upon any considerable portion of the community. The strongest possible representation has been made to Government protesting against such important legislative measures being pushed through Parliament during the dying hours of the session. Representations have also been made to the Minister for Labour asking for a repeal of the clauses of the Act providing for a poll of the electors on the question of tho weekly half-holiday. The representations s Q far made have been without effect, but it is hoped that the stronger measures it is proposed to take will be more successful. Organising Work. A very largo portion of the time of the secretary has been taken up by visiting various centres, and good work-has been dono in maintaining tho interest of the various affiliated bodies in the work of the federation. Tho position of the federation today is.very different to.that which obtained when, the present secretary .took ,office,.. The federation's determination' to . thoroughly organise the employers of tho Dominion is being effectually accomplished. At that, time while the associations.in tho four chief ocnt'res were. live active bodies, the associations in the smaller centres were almost without exception in a decadent condition) some of 'thorn practically defunct. Tho result of the organising policy is that every association is to-day in a healthy condition, and taking n keen interest in the work of the federation, so that whenever it is ncccssary for the executive bodies to make representations on any questions, their action is effective in that it is now. recognised that the New Zealand Employers' Federation is'a thoroughly representative and efficient organisation. Labour Matters, During the year great anxiety has been caused by the evidence of industrial unrest throughout the Dominion. So long as tho country could stand the, increased burdens imposed upon it, and the Arbitration Court could' bo prevailed- upon to award increased wages, shorter, hours, and other" restrictions in labour conditions, the labour unions'were content, but when the time arrived, which was bound to come, whon the Court could go no further, the expected has happened) and the labour unions are in revolt against tho biggest experiment in legislation in the interest of tile workers ever attempted in the history, of trade. A survey of the position establishes the fact that so far the Arbitration Act has'failed in having its provisions equally enforced against employers and workers alive. Government is attempting again to amend the law, and the federation, looking upon tho attempt as tho final trial, is prepared to assist. Parliament in what is looked upon as an honest endeavour to deal with a most difficult problem. Should the present attempt to deal with' the matter prove -futile, or if Parliament fails to pass an. amending Act this session, the only course open will be to repeal the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act entirely,' as the present unsatisfactory stato of affairs cannot continue. Tho Trades and Labour Conference was this year held in Wellington during July. The resolutions carried wero so largely a repetition of similar measures adopted at past conferences that it was not thought necessary to have them tabulated and printed. Attention is, however, directed to the extremely Socialistic nature of the discussions and proposals adopted, and especially to the principle of " limiting tho output" recommended by several speakers. The idea prevalent amongst unionists that it is their duty to do no more work than they are compelled to do is so apparent in connection with many of -our industries th.it it is incumbent upon employers, wherever such is noticeable, to take strong measures to combat the " ca' canny " policy now being advocated by the labour leaders. Political Socialism. Tho dangers to bo feared from the growth and promulgation of Socialistic ideas prompted tho Otago Association to formulate a series of resolutions and refer them to the federation for consideration. Tho resolutions were adopted by practically the whole of the affiliated bodies, and many other employers' organisations, and have been sent to the Premier, tho Minister ' for Labour, Mr. W. F. Massey, M.P., Leader of the Opposition, and others. Tho action thus taken has been dealt with in various ways by the press of the Dominion, and your executive is of the opinion it hasbeen instrumental in directing strong attention to the danger to bo apprehended from proposals which, if put into operation, would destroy all incentivo to industry, energy, and thrift, and would deal a serious blow to the development and prosperity of Now Zealand. It is hoped that whatever happons, this country will be free from tho wretched three-party system now prevailing in-the. Commonwealth. Conclusion.. In conclusion, your executivo. expresses tho opinion that the existence of the federation as a live, activo, aggressivo organisation was never moro necessary than at tho present time. The virility of the labour unions, the extremo views held by the leaders of tho labour movement in New Zealand, and tho dangers to the community to bo apprehended from tho aggressiveness of the Labour party, mai;o it imperative that tho organisation should receive the strong moral, financial, and practical support of all business people. Tho means afforded of focussing the desires and ideas of members, of making representations to Government, Parliament, and others,

and of beins able to speak in the name of the employers as- a body, give tho federation a standing, a name, and a force that could not otherwise be obtained. The continued loyalty of associations and members is a pleasant feature of tho year's work, and the hope is expressed that the incoming executivo will receive evdn greater support than has been accorded the officials of the federation in tho year just passed. OTHER MATTERS. Tho balance-sheet, which was satisfactory, was also 1 -adopted. Letters were received from the Builders Federation of South Africa, Employers' Federations of Queensland, New South Waleß, and Victoria, and the Chaniber of Mines of Wostern Australia, conveying hearty greetings, and hoping the meeting Would be successful.' ... Officers. The following officers were elected:—President, Mr. W. G. Foster; vice-president, the Hon. C. M. Luke, M.L.C.; treasurer, Mr. It. A. Scott; trustee, Mr. W. H. Bennett; audittor, Mr. W. C. Stephens; Parliamentary Committee, Messrs.. J. Beveridge, H.'H. Scaton, C. M. Banks, Jas. Allen. M.P., J. Godbor, G. H. Chapman, and N. F. Marley, with power to add to their number; Advisory Board, Messrs. T. Ballinger, W. Cable, W. Hopkirk, and H. Inniss. Related Trades. The following resolution was adopted> "That it be a recommendation to employers in. all industries where a number of awards operate, that the provision contained under Clause 24 of tho, Conciliation and Arbitration Act be taken advantage of, with a view of .getting uniformity of awards in related trades." Federation of Trades.. Tho following motion was also carried "That, owing to the aggressive attitude of tho Labour party, this meeting is of opinion that tho time has arrived for the federation of all the individual trades, so that, in tha event of a strike taking place it might be dealt with by the general body in place of by individuals, as has been the custom in the past." At 5 p.m. the meeting adjourned till this morning. It will probably conclude in the afternoon.'