FUTURE OF INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20960, 25 August 1931, Page 10

FUTURE OF INDUSTRY.

OPTIMISTIC VIEW URGED. PRICES AND UNEMPLOYMENT. A plea to employers to look forward to tho future with optimism and to anticipate confidently an early improvement in conditions in New Zealand, in spito of the present industrial and economic depression and increased taxation, is made in tho annual report of tho Auckland Provincial Employers' Association, which will be presented at the annual meeting in tho Chamber of Commerco on Thursday.

Tho report states that tho committee regretted tho economic condition of tho Dominion had received a serious setback during the past year owing to the fall in tho export values of her primary products. While the large reduction in food prices was entirely satisfactory from the wagoearncr's point of view, the primary producer could not bo expected to look at it with the same equanimity. A very large proportion of the fall was in the price of farm products, caused by tho low export values being reflected on tho local market. The decline in that particular item was therefore not altogether a matter for gratification. The association wished again to urge all employers to pass on the benefits gained by the 10 per cent, cut in wages, so that a substantial fall in the cost of living could result. It was to be regretted that unemployment was still rife on a large scale, and that the powers that be had not been able to find, or even suggest, a permanent cure. The one bright spot in regard to (ho systems of relief adopted had been the avoidance of a "dole." Unemployment was not peculiar to New Zealand, and its permanent cure would seem to demand a plan world-wide in its application. As was predicted by the association, the Unemployment Bill had proved impracticable and inadequate, and tlie executive was watching tho trial of the new Act.

The year had been free from industrial upheavals of any consequence, partly due, no doubt, to the large amount of unemployment making the time inopportune for the labour unions to attempt any drastic action, continues the report. Twelve industrial disputes were handled during the year. The decrease over last year could no doubt bo accounted for by the unions considering it better to "leave well alone," as, during the present depression, they were more likely to lose than gain by forcing employers into disputes regarding wages and conditions. The finances of the association, the report concluded, remained satisfactory. The excess of revenue over expenditure was £497, as against £754 the previous yeai;. There were 1212 members on the roll at the end of the year.