INDUSTRIAL SITUATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20840, 6 April 1931, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL SITUATION.

COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY.

BOOK BY EX,OFFICIAL.

REMEDIES FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

Formerly Secretary for Labour for many years, Mr. F. W. Rowley, 1.5.0., has made a valuable contribution to the dominating discussions of tbe times in his book, "The Industrial Situation in New Zealand," which lias just been issued by the 11. 11. Tombs press, It comprises a comprehensive history of industrial legislation, a section dealing with Unemployment, its causes and its possible cure, and a general review of the system of conciliation and arbitration with suggestions for its improvement. Such a volume is very welcome from an ex-official possessing so wide an experience. lie will have critics. Some may contend that his theories for bringing about improvement are either too idealistic, too bureaucratic, Of too liable to bring about interference with private business that would stultify individual endeavour. But one should judge from the tone of the book that Mr. Rowley will achieve his end if lie succeeds in stimulating unprejudiced discussion and an exchange of ideas arpong those who, for the most part, are opposed tq one another. Cure for TTnqmplpyjijent,

His recommendations for the solution of tjie unemployment problem, which were in type before the Unemployment Act, 1930, was passed, include the following:— When an employer proposes to dismiss a number of men on account of the introduction of laboimsaving devices he should notify the board, which would endeavour to have the men absorbed in other industries or placed on small holdings. In tiie meantime the board would specify the period of notice to be given or compensation to be paid from an insurance fund established by orcjer of the board ip the industry or indpstries. Businessmen whose trade migjit be affected by future changes in methods should be encouraged to establish insurance against such po|sible losses.

If unemployment should continue, in spite of ail effort? to place the dismissed men, the Goverppienfi ai}4 board copsjder co-operation ip the movement for a reduction of hours in backward, but cpmpetitive countries, and in the meantime use protective tariffs or other safeguarding methods. The Training of Boys. The author advances a scheme for the training of boys, all of whom, after leaving school, should engage in and some skilled occupation of their own selection, but preferably of a productive kind, until the age of 13, the board to subsidise wages in necessitous cases, fo discourage children entering "blind alley'.' jobs the Education Department should allot free places in post-primary schools, haying regard to the total numbpr of persons engaged in industry as follows:' (a) Primary producing, ' (b) manufacturing, (c) distributing, and (d) professional aj}d commercial occupations. The pupils taking up the different branches of postprimary education to b e selected according to their suitability. gpeejgl gnr couragemenfc by way of trailing facilities sjiould be given boys to go on the land with the promise of easy terms (.0 allow tliem to becppie farmers.

In regard to the stabilisation of trade and employment, upon which the author devotes some space, he suggests the setting up of industrial stability committees in' farming and other intermittent occupations. Regularity of work woqljd be promoted, for example, by the production qf additional commodities during otherwise slack periods. Businessmen would be urged to grant discounts or offer special piices in slack tjmes. Such procedure wop Id be cgrpiec} out not only separately fpr each intermittent industry, but by a dove-tailing process between industries under centralised advice and direction. Value and Cost of Works. State, local, and private employers would be urged tp carry t put development works !n gjack fpr which purpose a statistical an(l ' jnfpnpatipu bureau should be established to furbish estimates of future prospects pf trade. Governnipnt departments and public bpdies should be urged < to purchase materials for future works in times pf depression. After all efforts made on the above lines, any remaining unemployment should be met by public and local wpi'M that had beep planned ahead and re* served for such 4 ijme, If it Mere considered that wages less than current rates should b<? P3ld for sue]} works ftf order pot to entico men away from ordinary .employments, the difference should be paid iptb a fund to be used as opportunity occurred tp liplp to re-establish the men. or place them op land.

An employment stabilisation fund ' should be established to pay the difference between the value and cost of ordinary public works set apart to overcome unemployment, This scheme, says tl}<3 author, niigljt be extqnded to approved development works by farmers and other private enipiojerg, but no grants should be made for the benefit of the employers concern^, There are some familiar recommendations about " fpgteriiig local industry" . with the addition that manufacturers suffering from Competition should be urged to amalgamate fpr large-scale production and that where this caused loss to gome concerned the board should be smpQwerpd to order the payment of compensation by the amalgamated t>ody 00 the of an English scheme. Export Income Reserve. To stabilise the ineonu; from sports, it is suggested tjiqt shpulcj Joe required to jP§eryp a pVPJ?Pftipjj of amounts pr credits derived in prpsperpys years for use in years when rptprns fall below tljp average.

A more complete control of in)migration is proposed tp maintain a proper lialancp from year to year in the numbers engaged in the various occupations. Th» immigration of people with capital or income shguld be specially encouraged. Malingerers on public wprks should be separated from lionesfc men-

Upon tfce operation pf the Arbitration Act, Ml". Rowley hag .1 good deal pf comment, which ■will be applauded by tho farmer and those in unsheltered industries. Ilis most important proposal is that ip fixing wages and conditions the Court should consider the interests not only of the employers and >yprjters directly concerned, but also those of. tb® ■ public, and should have to fr.® general state fif trade over iwwfls e* years. Rates might be fijfed snWW>'' Further, a fourth' member of tjje Vwg should be appointed to represent the public—possibly, a represent* iv« of primarv industry,. of .» I*»7§f wJ)P could understudy the Judge, the Judge m such and industWA} PW* / , V '■ -II