AWARD RESTRICTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20993, 2 October 1931, Page 11

AWARD RESTRICTIONS.

CONSIDERATION BY CABINET. EFFECT ON EMPLOYMENT. STATEMENT BY MR. FORBES. [BY TELEGRAPH.——SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON', Thursday. The impression which has recently been created in the Parliamentary lobbies tlfat the Government is about to alter the incidence of Arbitration Court awards with a view to removing some of the irksome restrictions from industry was confirmed by the Prime Minister, lit. Hon. G. W. Forbes, to-day, when in replying to a deputation from tho Trades and Labour Councils Federation, he said:— "Wo aro examining the Arbitration Court system to see if some improvement can bo made to provide more employment. There will bo a full opportunity of discussing the question when it comes before Parliament." Tho deputation, which was introduced by Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., sought from Mr. Forbes, tho lit. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister in charge of Unemployment, and tho Hon. A. Hamilton, Minister of Labour, an indication of the Government's intentions regarding tho Arbitration Act. Air. E. Kennedy said there were rumours that tho Government intended to suspend awards, and concern was felt throughout tho trade unions, which had been working under Court conditions since the system was established in 1894. Mr. F. D. Cornwell, secretary of the federation, said it was known that representations had been made for alterations to tjie arbitration system and they were concerned to know what was the Government's intention. It was suggested if any change was proposed the workers' representatives should bo given a chance of discussing the question with the employers and the Government. The Wages Cut Opposed. Air. Forbes: We have had a conference. You and I were present. Mr. Cornwell said the proposals made at tho industrial conference wero known, but the present intentions of the Government wero not. Workers under arbitration awards were entitled to know what was proposed. It was still contended that the 10 per cent, wages reduction should not have been made, and many employers were now expressing tho same oj)inion.

Mr. A. W. Croskery said New Zealand had been singularly free from industrial troubles since the passing of the Arbitration Act. Tins was duo largely to the fact that there was a means for adjustment of disputes. The Dominion was not the only country suffering from postwar depression, but no other country had seen fit to suspend the operation of industrial agreements. More employment could be created without suspending the Act. Much of the unemployment could be done away with by abolishing all overtime. Another courso that could be followed was to shorten the working .veek and so make room for more workers. Many millions had been lent to workers by the Government for houso building, continued Mr. Croskery, but if awards wero suspended the workers' commitments would continue. These commitments had been entered into in a belief that the Arbitration Court offered full protection. Unprecedented Conditions. Mr. Forbes said no official statement had been made to the newspapers, but the question of Arbitration Court awards was under consideration by the Cabinet, which was trying to see what could best be done. The Act had undoubtedly worked satisfactorily, although it might not havo had the full blessings of either side. The Dominion was experiencing unprecedented conditions, and no rules that had been suited to the past could be made to apply to-day, for the world had never been through a period such as the present. The restrictions of awards in force had to be scrutinised closely to seo whether they were hampering employment, and the Government was going into the question closely. "I did not think there were two opinions left about the 10 per cent. cut. the Prime Minister added. "I really thought the workers would recogniso it was absolutely inevitable, but when you come along and say that is one of the things to which you are opposed, and that tho cut should bo restored, I can seo it is no good discussing other questions as to what is necessary for the country." "No Common Ground For Discussion." Tlio income of tho country had fallen by many millions, and it was impossible to continue to pay the same wages and maintain tho same high costs, continued Mr. Forbes As reasonable and sonsiblo men, tho deputation must realise that overhead costs had to be cut. " Ihero is no question costs arc coming down and the cost of living, too," Mr. l'orbes said. This was greeted with dissent. The Prime Minister added it was obvious there was no common ground on which they could meet, for discussion. When the Government Statistician's figures showed that the cost, of living was coming down I hey were not believed, but when it was shown thai the cost of living had gone up this was accepted immediately. The Government did not wish to do anything unfair, but il was clear awards 'were making tho unemployment position rnoro difficult. Nothing but what was absolutely necessary would be done. A Voice: We have got our answer then. The Prime Minister said there would l>o full opportunity of discussing tho question when it' canto beforo Parliament. Mr. Croskery asked Mr. Forbes to look into the, question of the employment of bovs in trades. In some, trades, he said, Ihero were so many boys employed that I here were no journeymen to teach them. If awards wero suspended thousands of breadwinners would bo thrown out of work.