OBSTACLES TO HARDER WORK

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 120, 14 February 1941, Page 6

OBSTACLES TO HARDER WORK

It should go without saying that all sensible and thoughtful New Zealanders will approve the sentiments expressed by the Minister of Labour (Mr. Webb) when he referred, in Christchurch this week, to the seriousness of this country's economic loss caused by the disruption of our meat trade with the United Kingdom. If we are prevented by circumstance from marketing a substantial part of our produce it follows that, nationally, we are so much the poorer. We have suffered a heavy loss in overseas purchasing power, at least for the time being. It is essential to alleviate this loss to the utmost possible extent. We cannot in the circumstances expect assistance in the matter. We must set-to ourselves. As Air. Webb has stated, this means harder work. New Zealanders must realize the necessity to "work as we have never worked before,” in order that the effect of the steady wartime drain on productive man-power may be minimized, and the volume of needful production maintained at the lowest possible cost. If tlie people emerge from the struggle by just managing to pay their way (said Mr. Webb), they will be fortunate indeed. That is the issue, and we must face up to it. So far so good; but these are merely words, and many citizens will remember that they have been heard before, more than once. “. . . We must work as we have never worked before.’’ This new slogan echoes the wording of an official poster which, for many months past, has exhorted citizens to “work for your lives.” As a national community we are not yet “working for our lives” in the accepted sense of that expression. The way must be cleared. That is (he first task, and it is one which the. Government, with Mr. Webb as its instrument, must perform if we are to speed up, No one else can perform it. lln Government alone has the power to remove legislative obstacles ami restrictions that litter and entangle the way to a maximum national effort. The power was taken in June of last year under the Labrun Legislation Emergency Regulations, which stated: If it appears to tlie Minister of Labour to lie necessary or expedient so to do for securing Hie public safety, the defence of New Zealand, or the efficient prosecution of any war in which His Majesty may be engaged, or for maintaining supplies and services essential to the life of the community, the Minister . . . may suspend so far as they relate to conditions of employment, tlie provisions of any Act, or of any regulations or orders under any Act. or of any award or industrial agreement. . . . The country’s “work” capacity is governed very largely—-indeed, v.ell nigh wholly—by the provisions of its industrial awards and agreements. They are the kev to the whole question ol more work and harder work If we are to do what Mr. Webb says we must do the key must be used. And onlv the Government lias it.

It is true that certain awards have already been "varied bill manufacturers and others concerned are only too well aware ol some of the complications and heart burnings—the delays, restrictions and involved negotiations—with which this process has Ixren beset. In the same week of |une, 1940, in which the Labour Legislation Emergeucv Regulations appeared, the Minister of Labour issued the WoolleuMills Labour Legislation Suspension Order. 'I he seemingly simple matter of arranging that mill work and output be freed in some small measure from restrictions, resulted in negotiations, on questions.of interpretation and costs, which are not yet finally disposed of. More work —but at penal cost,” has been the policy of a section of industrial unionism. This policy, unchallenged or ineffectively challenged by the Government, is one of the factors barring the way to gieater effort. Is the barrier to be removed? Is the Government prepared to make it easier—make it possible—to work harder? 1 bat is a question on which depends in a large measure the vital economic issue confronting this country.