ARBITRATION SYSTEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 12

ARBITRATION SYSTEM.

THE ECONOMIC VIEWPOINT. ISSUE OF QUESTIONNAIRE. Fairly wide publicity was recently given to bulletins prepared by the Department of Economics at Canterbury University College and issued last April by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, upon the functions of the Arbitration Court and the effects of its decisions upon the economic position of New Zealand. The principal conclusions set forth in the bulletins were that the system of wage-regulation had detrimental economic effects and was at present failing to preserve industrial peace, and that its machinery stood in need of revision. The Associated Chambers of Commerce is carrying the inquiry further, in the belief that "the time has come for a reexamination of the relationship of the Arbitration Court with the industries of New Zealand." It has prepared a questionnaire of 15 paragraphs, and has sent it, with copies of the bulletins, to a very large number of persons deemed qualified to answer. Among the queries are the following:— Do you consider the relations between capital and labour in New Zealand are improved or otherwise by the operations of the Arbitration Court ? Is the comparatively good position which has been attained by wage-earners in New Zealand due to the operations of the Arbitration Court, or to other causes ? Do you agree with the fixation of wage standards by the Arbitration Court on its present basis of a minimum standard of living, or do you consider that wages should be based upon the value of the output of the worker V Is the present lack of adjustment between prices of the products of the primary' and secondary industries in New Zealand due in any degree to the fixation of wages by the Arbitration Court ? To what extent is the fixation of wages by the Arbitration Court over a comparatively small field of industry influential over wages generally in New Zealand ? The present economic disabilities of New Zealand are regarded by many people as being largely due to two causes—high overhead costs of production and/or insufficient production. Are the awards of the Arbitration Court in any large degree responsible for these factors? Are the Arbitration Court's awards 'in any way responsible for the present unemployment? Do you agree with the suggestion that the Arbitration Court should be abolished; or do you suggest. any material alteration in its functions and powers ? Other questions refer to compulsory awards, preference, conciliation councils, and the Court's power to regulate industry. The questionnaire is also designed to collect resolutions passed by societies or | organisations on the matters dealt with.