REST WANTED.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 102, 2 May 1911, Page 3

REST WANTED.

MR. PRYOR ON LABOUR LEGISLATION. TROUBLE PREDICTED. [by telegraph— press association.] WANGANUI, Ist May. Mr. William Pryor 2 secretary of the New Zealand Employers' Federation, addressed a large meeting here this evening. In his speech Mr. Pryor 'reviewed the history of the Industrial and Conciliation Act, which has now been in operation for sixteen years. Contrary to the fond hopes of ite sponsors, he said, instead of the Act being the means of stopping all industrial troubles, it had been the means of manufacturing them, almost without end. Trade unionism sras in the hands of extreme Socialists. Despite increased wages shorter hours, and restrictive conditions, the cry in every industry was for more. There had grown up an organisation called the New Zealand Federation of Labour, whoso policy was a policy of strike. Its aim was to secure cancellation of registration of all unions under its control^ and then, when the time seemed opportune, ito declare a general strike. The gold and coalminers' unions, shearers' and dairy factories' unions, and others were connected with the organisation, and there was no doubt that the waterside workers' and seamen's unions were in sympathy with it. The New Zealand Labour Party was a Socialistic organisation in disguise, and indications were not wanting to show that it would take little indeed to promote industrial strife among unions joined to that body. Many predicted that ere long New Zealand would find itself in the throes of the most serious industrial trouble ever known. Labour legislation had been a failure, both from the employers' and from the employees' points of view. Notwithstanding New Zealand's long period of prosperity and high prices, manufactures were throttled, and business men were' prepared to sell their interests in many cases at considerable sacrifice. Worse than all, it seemed almost impossible to persuade those having money to put it into labour-employing concerns. He could quote authentic cases of this. Last session much heavier burdens were placed on those affected. A rest Trom labour legislation was needed, or a period ■■>f depression would follow. The speaker also dealt with the shortage of labour and restrictions, imposed r>n apprentices. He advocated a safe and progressive iriimigration policy to meet the shortage and the insufficient birthrate. Overtures by the federation to the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Labour, had been made t but nothing was done, presumably because of opposition by the Trades and Labour Councils. Tho position was becoming acute. Mr. Pryor then dealt with the political outlook. He said that oarty politics were^ unknown to the Federation. The position to be feared was that of returning a small radical socialistic party, as it could and would do more harm than a Labour Government, by making Government and Opposition bid against each other for its support. The Labour Party was of opinion that with twelve men in the House it could secure more for the workers lhan a Labour Government could. The wisest heads in the Dominion should be pat together to prevent such a catastrophe, and the interosts of the country should be put before party interests.