CAPITAL AND LABOUR

Grey River Argus, 29 March 1928, Page 5

CAPITAL AND LABOUR

N.Z. CONFERENCE

Yesterday’s Sitting WELLINGTON, March 28. At the 'lndustrial Conference, Mr A. D. Thomson, formerly Assistant Public Service Commissioner, was unanimously elected chairman. On the previous day a discussion on tlx’ chairman ship followed the nomination of Hon. J. Barr. Mr Roberts said tho employees had not considered the possibility of anyone in active Parliamentary life acting as chairman.

The Prime Minister mentioned the practice of alternate chairman daily, which, however. Mr Roberts and the conference generally did not approve. Mr Roberts suggested that three men from each side should select the chairman. and eventually the question was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs Nash, Semple, Bromley, Polson. Ada nd and Brechin. It was decided that proceedings be open to the press, and to th * public on production of tickets limited by the space available. Papers were read by Professors Fisher (Otago University). Tocker (Canterbury), Belshaw (Auckland), dealing with the relationship of the Arbitration Court to industrial ques-

tions generally. The delegates to the Conference are: Employees’ representatives: Wellington. A. Cook, P. Cornwell, A. Black, J ; Churchhouse. W .Nash. J. Roberts, W. Bromley. J. Tucker, R. Semple, E. Kennedy, and A. Parlane. Auckland: O. Mu Brine. T. Bloodworth. J. Purtell, J. P. Johns, B. Martin; Christchurch. H. Worrall, IT. C. Revell. Dunedin: W. Herbert, J. Robinson. Invercargill: T. O’Byrne. New Plymouth, R. Fulton.

Employers’ representatives: Employers’ Federation, Hon. S. Weston, W. G. Smith. T. (). Bishop, H. Mainland, A. G. Henderson (Christchurch); Farmers’ Union. W. J. Polson. R. S. Chadwick, F. Colbeck, W. W. Mulhlolland, J. Carr; Sheepfarmers, H. D. Acland, R. M. Morten, J. S. Jessep. C. H. Williams, W. G. Skerrett, and W. N. Nicholson: Dairy Farmers, A .Morton, J. G. Brechin, H. IT. Sterling. J. Fisher, and Middleton. Other interests: Chambers of Com-

merce: D. J. McGowan. H. S. Turner. Manufacturers’ Associations: F. Campbell, George Finn and W. H. P. Barber. Economists: Professors Murphy (Wellington). Belshaw (Auckland), Tocker (Christchurch) and Fisher (Dunedin). Associated Banks. G. W. Mclntosh. Parliamentary Committee. Sir ; J. Luke, R. McKeen, H. E. Holland. P. Fraser, M. J. Savage, J. A. Nash, F. Waite, G. W. Forbes, and E. A. Ransom. Manager of Conference: Hon. J. The official heads of the Government Departnr nts are also present. EMPLOYEES’ REPORT.

The report presented b-y the employees’ representatives to tho Industrial Conference' urged that an adjustment calculated to give better results than at present, could only be brought about bv a greater degree of co-operation than had hitherto prevailed. Trade unionism could never make peace with capitalism in the sense of acquiescing with that system. This, however, did not imply blind destructive fury against the existing economic order. All sections should get at the facts and then see how they affected national well being. The object of the confer enue was, to discover a way by which a greater measure of social justice could be secured.

The report urged that both employers and employed re victims of a system like a tug of war. The two- sides rarely met except as hostile bodies; If the conference regarded its task as part of a permanent -necessity to adjust economic and development policies of the rapidly changing world then this gathering might well be regarded as one of the most importants of recent years. The Labour section was anxious to help to restore prosperity, but could only do it effectively if it was assured that those whom it represents would with other sections share in results of this prosperity.

The National Industrial Conference progressed a further stagei to-day when unanimity was reached on the question of appointing a chairman and the recommendations of the business- •committee concerning the grouping and clarification of committees and presentation of papers were unanimously The day was occupied mainly with the reading of the papers Prepared by the professors of economics. The short debate which followed will be replied to by the. professors to-morrow, and other papers will be read. It is expected that the conference will adjourn on Friday until after Easter. NEW AWARDS. WELLINGTON, March 27. The New Zealand theatre workers’ dispute came before the Arbitration Court todav. This dispute concerned a number of clauses in the existing award relating to the hours of work, wages, overtime, travelling allowance, ami annual holidays, the parties having been unable to agree when these questions were before the Conciliation Council, which consequently referred them to the Arbitration Court for consideration. The hearing of the claims will be continued to-morrow. PALMERSTON N., March 27. The Conciliation Council, Mr Halley presiding, met here to-day to consider application for a new award by the Wellington country journalists. An agreement was reached on all points along the lines of the present award. UNIONISTS V. NON-UNIONISTS. ; NEW YORK. March 27. Three hundred structural steel worl ers have been ordered to strike as a protest against two hundred union bricklayers, who withdrew recently, because structural iron workers were operating on an open shop basis.