INDUSTRIAL YEAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18599, 29 December 1920, Page 7

INDUSTRIAL YEAR.

EMPLOYERS’ ACTIVITIES. Many important matters have been dealt with by the Canterbury Employers’ Association, during the past year, and much has been done to protect the oommon interests of employers. A number of Bills vitally affecting industry were considered by Parliament during the last session, some being # passocl and others dropped after consideration. Among tho latter was the Factories Act Amendment Bill, which aimed at a five days’ week. Important alterations were made in the Shops and Offices Bill, the principal being the fixing of a fortyeight hours’ week and the extension, of compulsory closing to all shops irrespective of whether labour is employed or not. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act was amended by extending its scope. Previously only two parties were entitled to appear in an industrial dispute, the employees and tho employers; now any party concerned may be heard by tho Court when considering a 1 dispute. The Workers’ Compensation Act was amended, largely in the direction of assessing compensation more in accord with the depreciated value of money. “ Considered as a whole,” said Mr F. Cooper, secretary of the association, “ this legislation should operate in the best interests of the majority of those affected by it.” The bonuses awarded by the Arbitration Court under the War Regulations Act had been regularly met by the employers in all industries until rhe last one of 9s a week was announced. This had been opposed-, on grounds too well known to need recapitulation. . . • “Mature consideration'of the position,” said Mr Cooper,' “ will convince everybody that the Court’s reconsideration of the bonus and’ its subsequent reduction was a. wise policy, as the bonus problem had reached a stage wheii, if the payment of 9s' had been insisted upon, it would have cost the recipients more than that to receive it.” The bonus method of ■ endeavouring to meet the increased cost of living was hopelessly futile. The association’s views on the matter had been ably stated by its president, Mr William Goss, at the annual meeting of the association. Mr Goss said:—“As regards the. cost of living increasing at all, it is obvious that this must be so so long as the. substance we live on increases in price. All wealth comes from the ground; hence the products ol the ground are the basis of all wealth. Matters are complicated in New Zealand by this being the only exportable product. No ono wants their products to bring less wealth to the country, and yet it is difficult to say how we can attain high prioes for our exported products and maintain a lower price, in tho country for the same goods. .It is manifest that we can’t have it both ways, and when we express a hope, of our exports retaining their present value, we cannot, 1 take it, express any serious complaint at the local prices, as at least 80 per cent of a family’s food and clothing are the product of our own soil; and thus the major part of those increases remain in the country. It would appear from this that the high cost of living on the whole should be beneficial to the country. There are, however, a good percentage of the population who, not being covered by awards, and not being in a position to recompense themselves for such ine/eases, are practically carrying their own and others’ burdens in this connection. It is difficult to see how this can be met or rectified. With au excess of bank deposits in. the Dominion of nearly twenty million sterling, it would appear that there is ample material by which this could be adjusted probably through a process of taxation. It is not good for the community that whilst half the population’s services are properly assessed this should lie at the expense of the other half who are in no way better equipped to meet same.” Mr Cooper quoted statistics which showed that at the present time there were some 100,000 single men, 100,000 non-existent wives and 200,000 non-existent children being provided for by bonuses, while the 90,500 married men were being forced to carry the burden of these increases in wages, which were largely due to the increased spending power of the single men. Mr Cooper anived at his figures regarding non-existent wives and children by taking tho Legislature’s statement that tho bonus was intended-to cover a married man, his wife and two children. It could be conclusively shown, said Mr Cooper, that a bonus of any extent must be passed on to the public. A good deal of consideration had been given by the association to various schemes aiming to secure industrial peace, but nothing very material had so far resulted. The most hopeful line along which progress might be made appeared to be by some scheme of na/tionnl superannuation which would he applicable to all classes of men and women workers, and that with this should bo embodied compensation for accidents occurring not only during the hours of work, but at any time. This, then, would do away with the necessity of employers’ insurance against liability for accidents on the part of their emplovees, and mortgagees’ indemnity cover. To this scheme the employee should subscribe a quota of his wages. The employer should pay at least the same premium for compensation that he is now paying, and the Government should subsidise the scheme to the extent that would be found to be necessary to make it a sound financial proposition. This would naturally take the place of tho old age pensions, and would have the added advantage of being applicable to all. except those who were financially of too good a standing to participate. In conclusion. Mr Cooper paid a high tribute to the service rendered to the community by the Conciliation Commissioner, Mr NY. H. Hugger. Mr Hugger, said Mr Cooper, was ono of the best friends the community had, as his unfailing tact and willingness at all times to bring about’ conciliatory settlements of disputes was one of the best bulwarks of industrial-peace. Air Cooper also referred to the loss sustained by the association and the community generally by the death of Air Albert Kaye, who was president of the association on several occasions.