STATE OF TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 34, 9 August 1934, Page 14

STATE OF TRADE

SLIGHTLY IMPROVED

VIEWS OF EMPLOYERS

WOKK AND WAGES

"At the beginning of the year we were all hopeful that, the worst of the financial and economic depression had passed, and that the future held better times in store for all in tho Dominion. Whilst it cannot bo denied that trading conditions have slightly improved, due partly to the increase in tho prices obtained for the past season's wool, we are still faced with difficult times,", stated the report of the executive of tho Wellington Employers' Association, which was presented to the annual meeting of members today. "Society has, since- tho rise of the capitalistic system, been based upon competition in quality, quantity, and price. There have been periods of prosperity and of depression, with feelings of happiness and distress, and feelings of security and insecurity. Many attempts have been made in various countries to restore prosperity without regard to the international situation. It has been said, and with a large degree of truth, that unless there is co-opera-tion between the vai-ious countries affected the possibilities of an early or satisfactory recovery are remote. "America has endeavoured to overcome the difficult economic position within her own shores by the introduction of the National Recovery Act: labour received higher wages and shorter hours, which have produced high prices and, from the recent cable messages received, it appears that the workers in America are worse off than before .because of higher cgst of living. America has attempted to bring about industrial reform by extreme measures, and expects to achieve, in a very short period of time, what has taken other nations many years to obtain. From reports to. hand it appears that America is likely, because of the extreme methods adopted, to have to face a serious industrial outlook. "In the meantime employers should conserve all possible avenues to safeguard their businesses until the return of bettor and more prosperous times." Tho report stated that perhaps the most significant indication of an improving business situation in New Zealand was the fact that unemployment seemed at last to be decreasing. BUILDING TRADE. The value of tho building permits issued also indicated that conditions generally were showing signs of improvement. The total value of new buildings, including alterations ■ and additions, for the past two years was as follows:—l 932-33, £2,474,866; 1933----34, £3,889,890. The last-mentioned amount was thehigkest recorded in the last three years, showing an increase of £1,415,024 on the figures of the previous year. "There is no question," continued the report, "that the building subsidy scheme, introduced by the Unemployment Board in 1932, and revived in' August, 1933, has had a very marked effect in creating employment in, building trades and allied industries, and also a marked increase in the consumption of timber throughout the Dominion. With all that may be said in opposition to the Government's building subsidy scheme, it has been clearly shown that tho scheme has increased the amount of work that would ordinarily have been put in hand, and that a measure of relief has been given trade within the Dominion. With a general reduction in the interest rates offered by tho banks," it .is hoped' that people will spend more in channels that. will create a Wider circulation of money in the Dominion, which we hope will bring about an increase in our national wealth and consequently an amelioration of trading conditions in. general. INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS. . yTho. year, from an industrial stand; point, has boon free of serious difficulties or industrial disturbances. The benefits obtainable as a result of the amendments to the Industrial Conciliation ! and Arbitration Amendment Act, 1932, have been very much appreciated by employers, who were experiencing serious difficulties because of the irksome provisions contained in awards. The 1932 amendment afforded a means of either obtaining more suitable conditions, or, failing that, direct relief from such conditions." • Generally speaking, says the report, employers are not opposed to award conditions, but, owing to the changed conditions of trade, relief is necessary in many! eases from unnecessary restrictions so as-to permit employers to carry on in business. It is believed that it will only be a matter of time when the workers' organisations will fully appreciate the employers' position and agreements will again bo made and become operative in all industries. In moving the adoption of the rciport, the president' (Mr. H. Mainland) remarked that" a pronounced feeling of optimism existed, but whether that was justified or not it was difficult to determine. It was hoped that the reduction in interest charges on money available for loans would have the effect of encouraging people to proceed with building and other necessary undertakings. Until land values found a true level we would be at a disadvantage in selling our produce and manufactures at prices competitive with those ruling in the world's markets. A wrong impression seemed to- obtain in some quarters, namely, that the association's one endeavour was to grind tho workers' wages down and obtain cheap labour.. Such was not the policy of the association. They looked forward to the day when conditions would afford every person employment and fair wages which would provide all with a happy and comfortable living. ■ The president paid a tribute to the staff, and remarked that the experience and knowledge of the secretary, Mr. W. J. Mountjoy, had been of great value to employers. GOOD WAGES, BETTER RESULTS. Mr. D. J. McGowan agreed with the president's remark, that it was not the association's endeavour to grind down the workers' wages and obtain cheap labour., They know that in 99 per cent, of cases if they paid good wages they got better results; all they wanted was a fair return for the wages paid. There existed in tho community dissatisfaction in regard to some features of the incidence of taxation, particularly that which meant taxing one section to help another. He alluded specially to the 25 per cent, exchange