EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION

Evening Star, Issue 15909, 15 September 1915, Page 8

EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION

ANNUAL MEETING TO-DAY. fPsn Unitbd Press Association-.] WELLINGTON, September 15. According to the annual report presented at the New Zealand Employers' Federation meeting to-day the year has been comparatively clear of industrial strife. At the same time, the report adds, there are indications that some of the leaders of the Federation of [Labor responsible for the 1913 strike are already forgetting the lessons of that period, and the disastrous results which their selfish and foolish plans .brought upon, their loyal followers in the coal mining industrv. There appears to be a movement to cause the_ workers to become dissatisfied with their positions under the industrial agreements entered into at that time. In connection witl le seamen and firemen, several disturbing circumstances have occurred, causing considerable dislocation of trade. Four different steamers have 'been delayed recently by excessive demands made by seamen and firemen for the voyage, from New Zealand to Australia. .The 0 report comments on the significant fact that no action has beeu taken by the Labor Department in any of the cases mentioned. DISSATISFIED WITH THE ARBITRATION COURT. [Pes United Press Association.] WELLI G-TON, September 15. The employers, according to the annual report presented to the New Zealand Employers' Federation to-day, wero not satisfied with the recent decisions of the Arbitration Court. After reference to the. application by the Lahor representatives that the Court should resume the hearing of industrial disputes, the report states the Court decided that they could not refuse to hear tho application, but they warned the workers; representatives not to.expect, unless in exception cases and for vpry good reasons, that increased wages would be given during the time of the Empire's stress. Notwithstanding the warning given, the Court were almost immediately flooded with applications for new awards, and' in lie comparatively short time intervening some 70 or 80 applications have been macs by the Court in this connection, Soriething. like consternation has been caused by the recent court decisions. Wages have been in. CTeased and further rcsitTiGtiiona have been placed upon the trades aud_ industries of the. Dominion. Tha opinion has been freely expressed that the Court have failed in their application of the evidence of employers, and have imposed burdens upon them which, in some cases at least, they will be unable to bear. In other cases the increased cost will be passed on, and thus the burden of ' increased cost of Inaag will bo made heavier than before. '