EMPLOYERS AT LUNCH.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 120, 17 November 1909, Page 8

EMPLOYERS AT LUNCH.

THE MAYOR ON PROFITSHARING. About sixty-five delegates to the Employers' Conference assembled at the luncheon to-day, at Godber's, Mr. W. Hopkirk presiding. The Mayor (Dr. Newman) was among the guests, and apologies for absence were received from the Premier, the Leader of the'Opposilion, and the Minister of Labour. 'Ihese legislators sent good wishes, and explained that press of public duty prevented their attendance. The chairman, proposing "Parlia ment/' said it got a "lot of kicks" — many of them, he thought, unmerited. He believed the present Parliament wah sincere^ in its aim to benefit the country as a "whole. The association., be <_uiitinued, was not a party organisation, though it necessarily was concerned with politics. Replying^ the Hon. C. M. Luke said he had the authority of the Hon. 1 . Mackenzie for stating that the present Parliament waa the best that New Zealand had had for the past twenty yesuv. One fault he had found with Parliament was that it cut out too much to do in. a limited time. There was a tendency to hurry on too fast with work involving important principles. lie thought it would be infinitely better to have~fewer laws in a better form, requiring fewer amendments subsequently. Mr. James Allen declared that he agreed with Mr Luke in the view that Parliament tried to get too much into too short a time. Il rested with the people to m^ke Parliament what it ihould be. It was for the people, who were watching industries, to see that Parliament did not make mistakes. Any legislation concerning industries should be for the benefit of all engaged in them, whether employing or employed. "The Federation" was proposed by Mr. T. Ballinger, who gave some interesting history about the early days of the federation and the merging of the Vigilance Committee into the Parliamentary Committee. He paid a compliment to the ability of the general secretary (Mr. W. Prior). At first, he continued, the federation was defensive, but had been obliged to become aggressive. The organisation was not constituted to act in antagonism to workers, as some people alleged. It was recognised that both sides had to work in harmony. Responding, Mr. W. G. Foster also commended the work done by Mr. Prior. Mr. W. H. Bennetft proposed the "Visiting Delegates." He believed thatf the present conference, attended by delegates of thirteen associations, was the most representative gathering of employers ever witnessed in New Zealand. About 7000 employers were repiesented by the delegates at the conclave. Mr. J. C. Thomson (Otago) said that a complete consolidation of the employers was necessary. Messrs. H. G. Warren (Hawkes Bay) and A. l£. Bennett (Manawatu) also responded. The toast of "The Mayor," proposed by the Hon. C. M. Luke, concluded the list. Dr. Newman replied that he was glad, as Mayor, to welcome the delegates. His belief about the industries of New Zealand was that more money would b& put into them if it were - not for lack \of confidence, and industrial troubles had contributed to lli^it lack. He considered that the only way to arrive at peace was by a system of profit-sharing. He had studied the question, aud he was convinced that the principle was sound. He hoped that faith in it would spread more and more.

Messrs. E. J. Leydon and Co., of the D.S.A., Cuba-street, advertise the opening of their earthquake sale to-morrow at 9 a-.m. Their stock of drapery and Manchester goods will be onercd at special, prices for fourteen clays. A list of prices appears on another page. This evening, in the New Century Hall, Kent-terrace, a demonstration of psychic and magnetic healing will be given by Mr. i Richards. Mr. Ernest Loighton will hold a sale of furniture at Lower Hult on Saturday. Particulars are advertised in this icsuc. This evening there- will bo another opportunity of hearing tho festival music which was rendered at the anniversary of tho Webb-street Primitive Methodist Sunday-school, held in the Town Hall on the 7th inst. A childron's festival is to be held in the church at 7.30 o'clock, at which tho Hon. A. T. Ngata will preside, and addresses will be given by Mr. C. 11. Poole, M.P., and Mr. Yung'-liang Hwang, Chinese Consul. The programme will include choral marches action songs, etc., and a collection will bo taken in ,aid of Sundaj -school work. Tenders for the conveyance of mails arc invited by the Secrctaiy of the General Pqsfc Office. Particulars arc advertised in this- issue.