OBJECTION RAISED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 88, 13 March 1934, Page 2

OBJECTION RAISED

POWER BOARD MEMBERSHIP. OF EMPLOYER’S ASSOCIATION. Objections to the payment of affiliation fees for membership of the Manawatu Employers’ Association were raised by Mr P. G. Guy at the monthly meeting, yesterday afternoon, of the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board. Mr CG.. C. Dernier presided, others present being Messrs J. A. Nash, M.P., M. A. Eliott, J. Hodgens, Jos. Batchelar, J. Boyce, AV. P. Bickers, 0. McElroy, N. Campbell, AAL McKay, E. 0. Bond and Guy.

Following notice previously given, Mr Guy moved that the payment of the annual subscription of £3 3s be discontinued. He alleged that it was through the agitation and propaganda of the Employers’ Federation that wages had . first been cut by the Government, spending power reduced and everybody made worse off. He objected to assisting that kind of thing, as it was putting a. sprag in the wheels of progress. Most of the Power Board’s consumers were small farmers, business men or working people, and their interests should be safeguarded. There had been, to date, over £3O paid in fees to the Employers’ Association, but ho did not think anyone could say that the board had had that amount of benefit. He asked that the payment be not approved. Mr Hodgens seconded the motion, and said there was a big principle involved. He stated that they represented no particular division, but every section of the board’s consumers. The payment of the fee meant that they were taking sides and that a local body was being used to strengthen one side of a possible industrial dispute. It would bo possible to establish a precedent under which they would be approached for affiliation with the Alliance of Labour, and he would object just as strongly in that case as in the present circumstances. Opposing the motion, the chairman stated that the arguments raised did not apply. The board were large employers of labour and needed the assistance of the association as an organised business body. “It is essential for the protection of this board that we should belong to the association,” declared Mr Eliott in opposing the resolution. He said that the board was not seeking in any way to abuse its position. It was perfectly Logical a.nd, from a business point of view, correct, that they should continue the affiliation. Mr E. O. Bond asked if the board members could be informed exactly what benefits had been received from the membership. Apart from all matters of politics it was a question of whether value was being obtained for the money spent. The cha.irman said he did not know what benefits had been received. He could not recollect any, but there were awards in existence, and the association acted for the Power Board in the framing of these. Mr Campbell opposed the motion, stating that the membership of the association was very necessary for the board’s interests. Mr Hodgens said the association fought increases in wages. That was all it existed for.

Mr Boyce also opposed the motion, saying it was necessary to have some body to represent the board in the framing of industrial agreements. It was not for the express purpose of reducing wages. Mr Hodgens asked Mr Boyce it it would not be better for all if men were earning good wages. Mr Boyce : . Most decidedly, providing that we could obtain the money to pay them. Mr Batchelar also opposed the motion. Mr Bickers: Are we not strong enough to look after our own internal workings in these matters? , The chairman: That is a question. It is very doubtful. ~ , r Suggestions had been made, said JVlr Bond, that membership was a measure of protection, but he could not see that it was of any advantage whatsoever. The motion, which was supported bv Messrs Guy, Hodgens, Bond and Bickers, was lost by eight votes to four.