THE ARBITRATION ACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19860, 2 February 1928, Page 13

THE ARBITRATION ACT.

FIXATION OF WAGES. ATTITUDE OF FARMERS. PREPARATION OF EVIDENCE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Comment on the Arbitration Act was* made at to-day s meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union and after discussion by delegates a committee was set up to prepare evidence for submission to the forthcoming conference. The president, Mr. W. J. Poison, outlined what the union had already done in regard to the question, and said he thought it advisable that the matter be discussed from all aspects. "It is a fallacy to base wages on the cost of living," said Mr. W. B. Mathieson (Eketahuna). "It has no bearing whatever on the money available for -the ' payment of wages. The export figures seem to be the most reliable guide to the country's wealth. Mr. «T. .Pagan (Nelson) said the trouble with the Arbitration Act was that it paid on time and not production. Mr. F. Colbeck (Auckland) said the cost of living was fixed on the basis of the keep of a man, his wife and two children. Seventy-three per cent, were under and only 11 per cent, over this loading. On the present basis a large number of workers were overpaid. A system of payment by results was essential. Mr. L. T. Daniell (Masterton) urged that a professor of economics be asked to outline a formula us a guiding principle to the Arbitration Court in the fixation of wages, such formula to aim at tho rise and fall of wages in proportion to the value of our imports. Wages should rise ami fall in accordance with the country's prosperity. Mr. J. D. Hall (North Canterbury) said the suggestion that the Arbitration Act should be amended, was wrong tor two or three reasons. One was that it did not get over the difficulty under which they were all labouring, namely, the abnormally high cost of production. Mr. J. Livingstone (Dannevixke) said the .Court had had the effect of bringing all men to the uarae leveL "We are not," lie said, "dealing with the root of the evil, and that is the efficiency of the man." It was then decided to refer the matter to a special committee, comprising Messrs. W. J. Poison, W. B. Mathieson, R. M. Cliadwick, J. D. Hall, F. Colbeck and L. T. Daniell. The committee will meet on Monday week. A resolution was carried expressing the opinion that the representation of the Alliance of Labour and that of the Employers' Fsderation should not together outnumber the representation of primary producers at the coining con ference. PREPARATIONS OP LABOUR. MEETING IN AUCKLAND. <s« Organised Labour proposes to enter the industrial conference as a united body. To that end, the Alliance of Labour has directed its district councils to call preliminary conferences of the executive officers of all trade unions in their respective districts, whether affiliated with the alliance or not. These meetings will select delegates to a Dominion Labour conference, to be held shortly in Wellington, The Auckland meeting been called for this evening, in the Trades Hall. LABOUR VIEW OP CONFERENCE. STATEMENT BY MR. PURTELL. In a statement in regard to the conference, Mr. J. Purtell said yesterday that the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitratioxi Act had within the last six months received considerable criticism from some members of the farming community, farmers' representatives in Parliament and also university professors. The atmosphere created by this discussion had been in the direction of proving that the wages received by organised Labour were responsible for the present depression and were likely to cripple industry if not seriously reviewed or different methods adopted both by the employer apd employee. "With respect to the foregoing opinions," said Mr. Purtell, "I feel sure that the trade union movement will welcome the fullest investigation with respect to the economic status of the worker, from the point of view of wages, hours and conditions. On the other hand, we would suggest a thorough inquiry into the position of our primary producers and industries that will verify or otherwise the statements being made with respect to the high level of wages. "It would seem that other factors, such as the raising of the rate of interest on money lent by private banks ajjd the Government Advances Department, have not been taken into consideration by some of the critics, to say nothing of the increase in tariffs and the high fixation of prices which must necessarily affect the spending-power and the standard of living of the average New Zealand citizen. "I feel sure, therefore, that any amendments to the Act can only be viewed from the aspect of machinery amendments. Tho real job, in my opinion, will be a. frank discussion and interchange of opinions to prove whether' production can be increased with a corresponding benefit to the worker in the shape of wages, etc. After all, our job is to look after presentday needs and I think that that be done without any sacrifice of principle either on behalf of industrial or political Laoour. "There is no necessity to reiterate here that the final objective of the international Labour movement is a state where social service will be the first consideration in the recognition of merit. Until that time arrives, it is the bounden duty of the Labour movement to see that the world's workers get as high a standard of living as possible under present-day society. ' . . i "Perhaps I am anticipating too much, but I feel that this is a matter worthy of very serious consideration and brimful of possibilities for the welfare of tho workers and the State. I have come to the conclusion, after mature consideration, that we as a movement have devoted too much time to the affairs of other countries and not enough to our own domestic affairs, recognising, of course, that certain aspects of our movement are international in character. If the real problems of New Zealand as controlled by the trade unions and employers are discussed in a dispassionate, common senso Tnanner, I can see nothing but good as s> result of the coming conference."