AUCKLAND EMPLOYERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19453, 8 October 1926, Page 14

AUCKLAND EMPLOYERS.

WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION.

THE INDUSTRIAL POSITION. ENCOURAGING LOCAL GOODS. The twenty-fifth annual meeting of the -Auckland Provincial Employers' Association was held yesterday, tho president, Mr. A. Spencer, presiding. In moving the adoption of the report, which has already been published, the chairman made reference to a wide range of subjects affecting the development and prosperity ef the Dominion. Ho emphasised the necessity for keeping a watchful eye on all proposed legislation. The Workers' Compensation Act in New Sooth Wales had practically mined the timber trade in that State and legislation passed somewhat hurriedly in New Zealand had proved unsatisfactory. The Apprentices Act had not been as successful as had been anticipated. It, was hoped action would be taken to amend it, so that sufficient boys could be employed as apprentices. Some professions were already overcrowded. It was advisable that better provision should be made to train lads as apprentices in trades. Extreme education was being overdone in New Zealand and a reconstruction of the odncation system was required. Land and Immigration. Dealing with economic conditions Mr. Spencer said New Zealand had to face a difficult position as a result of a fall in the price of dairy products and extensive imports. Fortunately, wool values had improved and the market appeared to be stabilised. The crying need of the country was a sound and progressive land policy allied with immigration. The method of group settlement adopted in Australia with tho co-operation of the British Government was advocated. In connection with tho secondary in dustries, Mr. Spencer said there had been a romarkablo' expansion during tho year. It was tho duty of New Zealand people to purchase Dominion-made goods and keep the wheels of industry moving. Our manufacturers w&ro compelled to compete with foreign-made goods that were turned out. by massed production and dumped into the country. Tho campaign in favour of British goods that had been organised throughout tho Dominion should do an immense amount of good and the efforts to foster trade within the Empire should be encouraged. The necessity for exercising commercial patriotism was never more pressing than at present. Wages and Hours of Work. Dealing with industrial conditions generally, the chairman said many factories were working short time, partly owing to ex'cessivo importations of foreign-mado goods and partly owing to the unions clamouring for higher wages and a shorter working week. The time had arrived to call a halt in tho continued increase in wages and shortening of hours. If tho secondary industries wero to prosper they must have wages stabilised and they looked to the Arbitration Court to help them in that respect. Tho chairman also made reference to the system of mass production and copartnership in industry that had been largely adopted in America, the necessity for adequate protection for secondary industries and other phases of tho industrial position. On the motion of the Hon. E. W. Alison, a vote of appreciation of the services rendered by tho chairman was carried by acclamation. The members of the executive committee were rc-elected. Messrs. J. F. Buddie and Son were appointed auditors.