INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 16 May 1928, Page 7

INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS

IMPORTANT PROPOSALS MADE

WIDE FIELD COVERED. REPORT TO NATIONAL CONFERENCE. SUB-COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS. JBY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL TO “THE STAR.”) WELLINGTON, May 15. The National Industrial Conference resumed its deliberations to-day. Ihe following report was submitted by the joint special committee. This special sub-committee commenced its sittings at 3.30 p.m. on April 24; and with brief adjournments continued the sitting until the evening of Tuesday, May 15. The sub-committee found, that better progress could be made by -departing from the agenda paper drawn by the Parliamentary committee in its original form, and practically the whole of the deliberations have been upon the more important industrial laws, with the object of framing amendments which, in the opinion of the sub-committee, were desirable under the existing conditions of industry. As a- result of its deliberatoins the- sub-committee is able to present unanimous recommendations upon important subjects of unemployed relief, immigration, and the Workers’ Compensation Act, these reoommenadtions being as follows :

UNEMPLOYMENT (1) We are agreed that at presentthe problem of unemplyoment in New Zealand is acute, and it is our opinion that the Government must provide out of the- Consolidated Fund such sums as are necessary to cope with the situation. (2) The exact information is not available to enable- -us to formulate a permanent scheme to deal with the current problem of seasonal and periodic unemployment. We therefore, recommend that the Government Statistical Department -should forthwith concentrate upon the- collection and compilation of accurate data with the- object of determining as far as possible: (a) The causes and volume of periodic and seasonal unemployment, and (b) the possibility of organising the Dominion labour demand so as to minimise the effect of seasonal conditions on tbe regularity of employment.. (3) Careful investigation should also be made to decide the most suitableform of productive work under Statecontrol, which could absorb from time to time labour temporarily not required- in industry. (4) For the pm*pose <?f this investigation and to assist/“in the- administration of temporary measures we recommend the Government to appoint immediately a committee of three, consisting "of a Government representative and one- representative each of the employers and of the workers. (5) The functions of this committee should be : (a) To analyse and consider detailed statistics and data as to the supply of and demand for employment in the various- industries throughout the year; (b) to conduct special inquiries as to the incidence- and causation of unemployment in various industries; (c) to ; < o-operate with private employers, Government departments and local authorities in an endeaour to provide avenues- of employment. and to regulate the demand for labour in New Zealand in connection with temporary measures taken by the Government; (d) to co-operate with the Immigration Department with respect to employment of immigrants; (e) to regularly furnish details of information as to the trend of employment. The workers’ representatives- on the sub-committee add the following addendum : That the committee referred to in clause four should consist of five members instead of three (one Government representative- and two representatives each of employers and of the workers), and that- a. scheme of unemployment insurance should-' lie instituted. This sub-committee- urges the Government to shape the education system in the direction of encouraging as many boys as possible to take up farming occupations rather than professional and commercial vocations. This is to apply to city, town and country schools. This sub-committee is* of the opinion that under the present system there are- not sufficient openings for hoys educated in the cities and towns, and that farming presents an almost unlimited scope for their employment, while positions in town industries are limited. IMMIGRATION. While fully recognising, our own responsibilies "in common with those of all other cmintries within the British Empire to eo-operate in solving problems of the redistribution of population, this sub-committee recommends: (1) The strictest possible supervision of the nomination system for - all classes- of migrant, both as regards the immigrant and the ability and capacity of nominators to perform their obligations. (2) That there should be an efficient medical examination of all migrants, assisted or otherwise, and that this examination should take place at the port of entry by medical officers appointed by the New Zealand Government.

(3) That immigration should he regulated in accordance with the state of Die labour market in New Zealand and with due regard to the ability of the Dominion to absorb immigrants in employment. (4) That, the Immigration Department be given control of the health examination and financial qualifications of juvenile and adult members, whether listed as assisted or otherwise. WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ACT. The committee recommends : (1) That, insurance be compulsory, subject to exception where, employers can satisfy competent authorities that either by a mutual insurance scheme or from'his own resources the worker is adequately covered. (2) it is advisable that the Government should carefully investigate the principles, .working and cost of the Ontario system of workmen’s compensation. with a view to determining, having regard to New Zealand conditions, what, if any, of its provisions might with advantage be adopted in the Dominion, and that in any case it is desirable that the medical, surgical and hospital services necessary as a result of an injury and for rehabilitation of the injured worker should he provided for, provided always that whatever scheme of insurance is adoryted it shall cover all classes of workers at present covered by the New Zealand Act. (3) Tliat in cases of lump sum payments the court he empowered to make payments in such a way as will crire protection to all dependents, appointing. if necessary, guardians for the children.