INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 May 1928, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS.

DISCUSSION IN COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

fllX TELEGRAPH-PRESS ASSOCIATION.J WELLINGTON, May 16. At the National Industrial Conteienoe during the. discussion on ithe recommendations ’ or ’ the subcommittee on unemployment, Mr. Weston said that the -employers sympathised fully with the unemployed, but it. was felt desirable, 'before any 1 endeavour was made to arrive at a-defi-nite solution of the problem, that they scon Id know tlie actual facts. He was of .the opinion' that .unemployment in .New Zealand had been exaggerated. Figures - showed that there' was one unemployed in every 43.5 workiena.— In America^ the proportion was one in 8.5, and in England one'in 12.

Mr H. S. E, .Turner, ,referring to the 'freezing industry', said that farmers and others quite realised that the seasonal nature of the work, was one of the mogt radical problems ,of its industry. Mr Roberts opined that many of the arguments advanced dealt with matters which should be left for .the consideration of the proposed committee. He was mainly concerned with the. .provis on. of immediate relief. Mr Barber agreed with Mr 'Roberts regarding the reference of the matter to the committee, and thought that the small percentage of unemployed could, well be, absorbed in the secondary industries. • Replying to the . debate. Mr Mcßride expressed gratification at /lie manner : n which the repent had been l-eeeived. The recommendations were unanimously adopted. ' - - : - IMMIGRATION. Mr Turner, moving the adopton of the recommendations in regard ito immigrai con, mid tlie problem had caused the committee, less trouble than any other subject. The recommendations were not. intended to be a'criticism of this ’opart meat's work, but it was suggested that ’every care, should he exercised in preventing unde-rirab’e people from entering the 'country. Instead -of an bnmigiration .board 7 ' it was felt prefer’!>'e ito extend the fume.lions of the department.. MGERS’ COMPENSATION.,; The .section of’ the : committee’s .report dealing ' with workers’ compensation was adopted unanimously. This means that the Government is to be recommended to conduct an investigaioh of the Ontario system of workers’ ompeiiisation to ascertain which of its , ' • ■vis Ans might lie adopted, in New Zealand. " T* Under the Ontario system practically all l litigation i,s- baolished. The scheme is administered b ya. board which does net act in a judicial capacity. The fundamental difference between the Ontario and other systems is that while other systems provide for compensating a worker for. disability, the Ontario system* sought to rehabilitate the injured worker in productive employment.