EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17285, 28 September 1916, Page 11

EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION.

ANNUAL MEETING, '

[Per Press Association.]

. WELLINGTON, September 27.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation : was held to-day. . The report stated that owing to tho necessities of the war having fully occupied the attention of Parliament there had been no attempt to introduce labour legislation, nor had there been any industrial disturbances of any magnitude. There was no decrease in the number of disputes dealt with by the Conciliation Councils and Arbitration Court. Claims during tho year exceeded those of the 1914-10 period, tho lead given by the Court! regarding a war bonus having been followed by many employers. Indications are that during tho continuance of the war they will be considerably fewer in number. Tho Advisory Board met the Defence Department regarding the holding of Territorial camps and after reviewing the whole position decided tliat it was inadvisable to raise objection. The Department did everything possible 10 minimise inconvenience to employers and no complaints were received. Owing to the war no organising work had been undertaken, but after tlio wai the need for combination would be more than ever apparent. “ Both here and in Australia thero is a small but extremely dangerous number of men who aro apparently determined to seize evorv opportunity as it oftei s to promote antagonism between employers and workers.” The president, Mr T. Shader \\ eston, referred to the brighter war prospects now opening out before the Allies. It might ho that big efforts would yet have to bo made, but he believed tnai with determination by all parts of the Empire there could be only one result. It would depend upon the people after the war to see that the iactors which had promoted victory were utilised to the fullest extent. After reference to tlie importance of education, particularly iu economics, the president congratulated tho various associations on the manner in which they had maintained their strength and upon their loyalty to the federation. They were never stronger than at present and there was complete harmony between the associations and the executive. Tho annual report was adopted. Officers were elected as follow': President, Mr T. Sliailer Weston (.reelected) ; vice-president, Mr T. Ballinger ; treasurer, Mr H. Coull; trustees, Messrs W. H. Bennett, A. E. Pearce, 0. M. Luke and W. A. Flavell; parliamentary committee, members of tho Advisory Board and Messrs S. S. Kirkc.aldie, ‘A. 0. Mitchell, J. Beveridge, H. F. Allen and C. Cathie; auditor,. Mr W. C. Stephens, FiP.A. (reelected). ,■ It was decided that the publication of the industrial bulletin should be continued. It was decided to recommend the Industrial Union of Employers to nominate Mr William Scott as employers’ representative and Mr William Pryor as deputv-representative on the Arbitration Court. , „ ■ It. was resolved that the Government should bo urged to take up the matter of tlio organisation of science in its relation to industry and education. It was unanimously decided that the Government should be urged to tako immediate action for regulation of enemy trade after the war.