UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 32, 6 August 1921, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT

AND HOW TO AVOID IT

EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN

OHRISTCHUROH.

(IT TEIIBRAFH.—PRBSS ASSOCIATION.) r' OHEtSTOHURCH, sth August. "To avoid increasing unemployment in Christclrarch, employers and employees in some industries, are arranging defaults by workers in spite of the Arbitration Court's awards." This statement was made by Mr. F. Cooper, employers' representative, at the Arbitration Court to-day. Mt. Cooper said tliat ho did not think it was quite a proper thing; it was done, however, out of consideration for employee?, and it was difficult to find an alternative.

Sir. Justice Frailer thought that there was a better plan—that wa-s, to apply to the Court for an amendment of the award by consent of both parties. , Mr. Cooper testified to having had continuously amicable' relations with union secretaries, but ho said that if he approached them with a proposal to amend an award they would irorwrtiately suspect something behind it. ' Mr. It. D. Martin, who was engaged in th« case, said that the union secretaries had. every confidence in Mr. Cooper,, and they would'understand any proposal he put forward. The union secretaries understood the position caused at present through unemployment, and were allowing holidays to be taken in extreme oases. . \

His Honour said that he was particularly glad to hear of the good relations existing between the parties. He hoped that they would extend throughout the country. He could nSt see now one side could get an advantage over the other if both sides agreed upon a proposal for amendment. The Court, he belieyod; had power to accede to a proposal if it came from both sides.

Mr. Cooper assured the Court that the employers did not want low wages and short time. If there was any class that did not want this, it was the employers of labour.

His Honour said that obviously it was against the employere' interest. As everyone realised, the business of all now was to produce as'much as possible to pay their debts. ;