THE EMPLOYERS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 263, 2 August 1929, Page 14

THE EMPLOYERS

WELLINGTON EXECUTIVE’S SURVEY The annual report of the executive of the Wellington Employers’ Association for the year ended April 30, states that, “although the association, as an organisation, continues to grow and its Importance increases year by year, the work of the executive actually has been less during the past year than for some years past. On the face of it, this appears rather strange, but it is not really so. The association is gradually evolving into a federation of trade sections, and it is through these trade sections that most of the work is done. The general executive, however, deals with matters of common interest to employers.

“Industrial conditions are more or less in a settled condition. Practically no strife whatever has been in evidence and, in this respect, the position of the Dominion is in marked contrast to that of Australia. Wages have become more or less stabilised at the 1925 figure, and no variation in the Court’s standard wages has been made since the Court’s general pronouncement of November, 1925. “The Labour Political Party for some years past has urged the Government of the day to arrange for representation of employers and workers at the Geneva Labour Conference held periodically, and it would appear that the present Government is somewhat sympathetic to the request. The employers have never sought representation, and do not desire it, but if the workers are given representation, the employers, in self-defence, will be obliged to accept representation also. At the same time, it is difficult to see of what benefit Geneva Conferences are likely to be to the Dominion, to justify the expenditure involved by representation. “The past year has not been an important one from a legislative point of view. . . . Fresh endeavours have been made to prevail upon the Government to relieve employers of the obligation to pay full wages to apprentices attending military camps, more particularly as such apprentices, during training, receive Defence pay. However, this present Government is as adamant on the question of granting relief as was the previous Government. The only course now open to employers is to apply to the Arbitration Court for relief in respect of those apprentices over 18 years of age in such cases as the existing apprenticeship orders do not permit of deductions for time lost through military training. The position of youths under 18 years of age is governed by Statute.”