INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 101, 26 October 1925, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—The president of the Employers' Association in Wellington apparently deliver.ed^ an address which to me was more political than industrial, and more of a tirade against labour than an instruction to the employers. An organisation that is making an honest endeavour to bring about justice should direct its efforts towards improving the breadth oE outlook of ' its members instead of narrowing their views and concentrating, their efforts on urging theother fello\y to improve lvis ways. From a labour point of view the address of the Employjers' Association is more than disappointing, and it seems to me that reform of society cannot come from such a biased squrce any more than it can be- expected to come from another biased source. Mr. Weston, the president of this association, said : "After all, it is unwise to allow anyone to .'fix his own reward," and added later : "Hence in most wages disputes some impartial tribunal must be the ultimate judge." He then' referred to the fixation of salaries by the Australian members of Parliament, and in this respect I would ask, Why has a, member of Parliament less right' to fix his wages than an employer of labour, a doctor, v ■ lawyer, or the-' numerous people who set up. iv a. profession? Would it not be right and grower for an impartial tribunal, presided over by the representative of labour, to fix all these emoluments ?

, I question whether attention would be drawn by the president of this association to the fixing of salaries of members of Parliament if tlwj fixing had been done by other than a Labour Government, and if I am not mistaken when salaries were increased in New Zealand Parliament by other than Labour the action was endorsed by the people Mr. Western represents. I point out these matters, to show that .in my opinion Mr. Western did.not put such important matters, before his association hi a broad, charitable way, such as we would expect from one who bewails the troubles with which we are beset.

Mr. Weston then urges the workers to work in with, instead of against, their employers, and he could very well have reversed the statement. Has it ever been known for aai employer of labour (I am writing of an employer of many employees) to increase their wages voluntarily? Has it ever been known for an employer to come forward and say, "I have done well this year, with your help,.and good fort-one, and I propose to make an all-round increase in wages?" Bather, does, the employer not say, "Alone I made a success of this business, and unto- myself I am keeping all I can?" Have the employers come forward and said to the workers who have remained with stationary wages while the cost of living figures have gone up, "We now propose to meet the position, by increasing your wages as we are powerless to prevent this increase?"

Did Mr. Weston draw employers' attention to the increasing display of wealth in this young; country by certain classes? Not, as far as I could read of his address in the newspapers, did he do so. Instead, he referred to the opening up. of new areas of agriculture, more intensivo cultivation of old areas, .etc., which he said "will probably result in a gradual fall in foodstuffs." He should know- that a fall in foodstuffs, which come off the laud, means a fall in land values and a general appeal to Parliament for relief in order to, keep, prices up so that those who, are on .tile land, at an exorbitant price, and. the mortgagees shall get their reward. What a. howl arose during the war when Labour wanted to fix the prices of foodstuffs for- the people in New, Zealand, against any such proposal.

Example, is more preferable than precept, every time, and employers should set an example; but I doubt very much, whether the president of an employers' association can control the lustrfor profits of the members, and, moreover, it' Mr. Weston delves into history he will find that the employees have worked in with the employers, but to their sorrow; there is no disgorging once the employer gets the capital unless it is forced out of him. I may be wrong, and will bo pleased to let Mr. Westoii put me wise on this point, and point to a. New Zealand employer who has treated his employees similarly.

Let me ask, in conclusion, where an impartial tribunal can be found—l am not seeking one that makes, a. decision and acceptable to one side—or where is there a chairman of such a tribunal who is free, directly or indirectly, from the influence of capital's interests ?

Be charitable, Mr. Weston, to the other side, who first of all want to live respectably, and who in their weakness may want to emulate those who display their earthly wealth and assume that it is their abilities alone that got it for, them.—l am, etc. W. M'ARLEY, Secretary E.F.C.A. 26th October.