INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 8, 4 October 1927, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

WELLINGTON EMPLOYERS’

OUTLOOK ANNUAL MEETING OF. . ASSOCIATION There was a largo attendance of members of the Wellington Employers’ Association at the annual dinner which was held last night, the president (Mr. H. Mainland) being in the chair. After dinner, the annual meeting of the association was held. The report of the executive committee, which was adopted, said that there had been almost an entire absence of industrial strife during the last twelve months; what dissatisfaction did exist al the moment was chiefly on the employers’ side, since many of them felt that the Arbitration Court was being undulv generous to the workers, having regard to the trying times through which industry generally was passing. It was difficult to see how the present standard of wages could bo maintained generally unless greater efficiency could be secured which would offset to some extent the staggering wages bill industry was now required to carry. During tho year the association, in conjunction with the New Zealand Em; plovers’ Federation, had concerned itself In the protection of einplovers’, interests m connection with eleven Dominion and ten Wellington disputes before the Conciliation Council and the Arbitration Court.

In an advisory capacity the association was of exceptional value to employers, the inquiries concerning awards running into thousands . annually. Splendid work was also being done in securing unanimity of opinion and action on (lie part of employers in the conduct of industrial disputes, with the result that the danger of one section of employers creating precedents to the detriment of others was now more or less negligible. Unemployment Problem.

Unfortunately, each winter raw a considerable amount of unemployment, some of which was merely seasonal, the remainder being largely due to the depression of recent years. The association exerted every possible effort to relieve the situation, more particularly by issuing a special appeal lo members to engage and maintain the largest staffs that circumstances permitted. . Many employers were obliged to curtail staffs in order to effect necessary economies, but generally speaking employers were reluctant to do so and were ever ready to make sacrifices in the interests of those who otherwise would be faced with unemployment. Once trade revived it would bo found that unemployment would correspondingly diminish. Labour Legislation. During last session several measures were placed upon the Statute Book which caused considerable apprehension ou tho part of employers. Measures of particular interest to employers were tn contemplation during the present session. Each successive session of Parliament called for increased watchfulness on the part of the association, •unco there was a tendency on the part of the Legislature to improve the. lot of the workers at the expense of the employers and industry as a whole. The executive did not share the view that the Arbitration Court should be abolished in the absence' of some practical suggestion as to an alternative method of settling disputes, but undoubtedly legislation was necessayr to remedy 'defects in tho system. Suggestions had been made to the Goverismetn by Employers’ Associations, and any legislation in this connection would be carefully scrutinised. Unfair trading by public bodies continued in spite of repeated protests by the association and other employers’ organisations. The Government had disappointed employers by . its apparent indifference to the injustice being perpetrated agaiist ratepayers and at their expense A further effort was being made:, to secure relief from the existing obligation to nay wages to employees during their military training in camp. If the Government would not relieve employers of all liability, it was not unreasonable to expect that it would allow employers to deduct an amount enual to the military pay to trainees in camp. In conjunction with the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, the association during the year embarked upon the building scheme which had been under consideration for a long time. The new offices were completed and tenanted, and the success of the venture was assured. Election of Officers. The following officers for the ensuing year were elected: —President, Mr. H. Mainland (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs. F. Campbell (re-elected) and W. McLav: executive, Messrs. Rr. Armit, W. H. Ballinger, E. Bull, J. R. Burley, W S. Cederholm, A. J. Curtis, H Caull, D E. Dustin, IV. J. Gaudin, A. B. Gibbons, W. Hopkirk, C. A. Innes, A. E. Wells, J. S. Land, W. G. McDonald. L. R. Partridge, D. Milligan, W. Nicol, F J. Oakes, D. O’Reilly, W. Parkin, A. E. Preston, D. H. Edgar, B. Royle, J. R. Simpson, D. H. Taylor, and I\’. J. Thompson; employers’ representative on the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. H. C. South (re-elected); auditor, Air T. W. F. Marsdan (re-elected). At the conclusion of the meeting, members adjourned to inspect the new premises of the association in the New Zealand Employers’ Federation building on , The Terrace.