THE FUTURE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 138, 8 December 1931, Page 6

THE FUTURE

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—What of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act? Is.the hand of the wrecker about to destroy what others took so long to build? The Act was upheld in the past by Ministers of tho Crown. And the arguments brought forward! What of thei . arid the guarantee behind them? Can those who say" that" with the wages clause deleted more employment would result, guarantee concrete cases where such will eventuate? With the clause'deleted, may not those in employment be cut to the bare level of existence, and no other employees taken on? - •- -

The principle involved is a big one, and serious consideration must be given to all sides of it before listening to any section of the community who perchance have overlooked certain aspects of the aftermath. . ■'..-"■■

The only man in the Dominion who has full knowledge in such a case, is the President of the Arbitration Court, Mr. Justice Fraser. Has the Government taken advice from him? He is the expert who knows, and his experience should be fully availed of. The Government should not be stampeded into any hasty action by the ill-judged arguments of any section of tho community.

i Would it not be good policy if, before i au employer could lower wages (if it is , the intention of the Government to bus-. pend that section of the Act) he should ' have to appear before Mr. Justice Fraser (sitting alone as arbitrator) and guarantee 1 that he would employ so many extra hands ■if the wages were lowered? That would be a preventive of men in present employ | being thrown on the market if they dared > refuse to accept the lower wages offered iby their employers. There must be some i such supervision in such cases, or chaos , will result. The argument may be ad- ; vanced that the arbitrator wouldn't be j able to cope with the rush. I am of the i opinion that with such, a safeguard, Mr. , Justice Fraser would have, a sinecure's position. / \ Tins is no time to take things on trust. 1 A binding decision must result. If more : men are thrown out of employment (as [ surely they would be) or the wages lower--1 ed, what of the £750,000 the Government • now realises, from the 3d in the £ wages i levy? It will mean more taxation, and ' the catnel is staggering under its present ; load! ■ • : ■ There must be a "danger-zone created, watched over by a man whose experience places him head and shoulders above- ajiy- , one else in this country—Mr. Justice L Fraser. Now, sir, I trust that the foregoing remarks will reach the right quarter, and at least be honestly considered. Rash decisions will do incalculable harm—the ! ice-cold brain must function at the pre- : sent time. We are at the crossways. Will' ' the next step spell disaster? Or will the 1 Government provide the brake?—l am, s etc., CITIZEN. [ 7th December, 1931.