ARBITRATION COURT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 10 September 1927, Page 3

ARBITRATION COURT

RELATION TO INDUSTRY RE-EXAMINATION SUGGESTED PERTINENT QUESTIONNAIRE. “The Council of the Associated Chambers of Commerce qf New Zealand lias noted many recent expressions qf opinion on tdie subject of the functions of the Arbitration Court and the effects qf its decisions on the economic position of the Dominion,’' stated a ’letter ■received from the ,association by the Hawera chamber at its monthly meeting last evening.

“These exprassioms of opinion,” continued the letter, “have been delivered by persons of very divergent economic and political views and their importance and frequency, as well as their unanimity in principle, if not in detail, lead us to believe that the tame has come fo.r a irerexam illation of the relationship of the Arbitration Court with the industries of New Zealand.' - The association advised further that over 1000 copies of a lengthy questionnaire accompanied by bulletins issued on the subject by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce had been despatched throughout the Dominion to persons qualified to answer. The questionnaire read ias follows : THIRTEEN QUERIES. Do. you consider that the .relation between capital and labour in Nen Zealand are improved or otherwise b.\ the operations of the Arbi t nation Court.

Do you consider that the comparatively good position which has beer, attained by wage-earners in New Zealand is due to the operations of the Arbitration Court, or to other causes : Do you agree with the fixation _oi wage standards by the Arbitraitior Court on its present basis of a minimum standard of living, or do yon consider wages should he based upon the value of'the output of the worker ? Do you consider that the .present lack of adjustment between prices of the products of the primary and secondary industries in New Zealand is due in any decree to the fixation of wage* by the Arbitration Court? In your opinion to what extent is the fixation of wages by the Arbitration Court over a comparatively small field of industrv influential over wag)” in New Zealand? AWARDS AND STANDARDS.

Do you consider that award rates art generally regarded as minima, maxima, or .standard rates of wages? The present economic disabilities oi New Zealand are regarded by many people as being largely due to two causes —high overhead costs of production, and, or, insufficient production. Do you consider the awards of the Arbitration Court in any large degree responsible for these factors? Do vou conisder that the* Arbitration Court’s awards are in any way responsible for the present unemployment ? , Do you agree with the general principle of compulsory awards in industrial disputes? . . , , Do you agree, with the principle or preference to unionists m New Zealaiu. industries? . , ...... Do you consider that the Arbitration Court’s power to impose regulations on industry should be restricted? What is vour opinion of the value of Conciliation Councils in New Zeayou agree with the' .suggestion that the Arbitration Court should be abolished, or do you suggest any material alteration in its function and powers ?

INVESTIGATION URGED. The questionnaire was accompanied by lengthy bulletins issued by Canterbury- Chamber of Commerce dealing with the position of the wage earner, the arbitration system, and the relations of capital and labour. The second named- bulletin concluded with the statement that certain people would suggest the entire abolition of the arbitration system, but there were many more who considered it* required thorough investigation with a- view to modification and amendment. The system had received much credit for good work in the past; it possessed elements that were still of great value, “but at the present time it fails- in its primary object, the maintenance of industrial peace,” said the- bulletin-. “It is responsihe- for seriously retarding adjustment of the price- disparities which are a chief cause of depression in the primary industries and of unemployment; ‘ its limited economic vision goes little beyond the sheltered industries which it' investigates; its chief basis for wage standards is founded on fallacy and over the vital internal relations of labour and capital ; in much of our productive industry it has laid the dead hands of public control.”

COMMITTEE APPOINTED. When the- questionnaire was presented at last evening’s meeting of the Hawera Chamber, the president (Mr. E. Dixon) gave the opinion that the questions were- too comprehensive to be dealt with summarily. The matter was a very live -subject, and in view of the annual meeting of the Hawera Chamber being held on October 7, he proposed that a sub-committee be appointed to give considered attention- to the questionnaire- and present recommendations to the annual meeting. “Some members of our chamber -have had a good deal of experience with the subject, and we should be best guided if they consider the -replies which should be given.” said Mr. Dixon. Mr. P. Bond agreed that the subject should he dealt with hv a subcommittee, it being too comprehensive to receive adequate consideration at the ordinary meeting. Ho thought, however, that the committee’s -recommendations should be discussed in open meeting. Mr. B. C. Bennett supported this, and on his motion it was -decided to appoint the sub-committee ns -suggested. The president (Mr. E. Dixon) and Messrs. P. Bond, B. C. Bennett and F. W. Horner were appointed to the committee.