LABOUR IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21133, 16 March 1932, Page 12

LABOUR IN AUSTRALIA.

TIMES OF TROUBLE PASSING. EFFECT OF THE DEPRESSION. Tlie opinion that labour troubles in Australia may shortly become a thing of tho past was expressed yesterday by Mr.. R. Vicars, woollen manufacturer, of Sydney, who arrived at Auckland by tho Marama on a short holiday visit. "Tho world-wide depression has brought about a considerable change in labour conditions," Mr. Vicars said. "Owing to high exchange arid duties, importations into Australia have been reduced to a minimum. This means more local manufacture, but with the public purchasing power reduced by falling prices for primary products, costs of production have to be kept a s low as possible. "In most parts of Australia, the working classes have awakened to a true realiation of the position. They know now that high wages arc impossible, and tlioy would far sooner work for a living wago than have no work at all. Fantastic union demands arc now out of the question."

ft had taken Australia sonic time to realise that labour (roubles would not help toward the recovery of the country, Mr. Vicars added. New South Wales was still on the 1929 labour standard, but that &tato under the Lang administration was exceptional. Australians had given up wondering what Mi/ Lang was going lo do next. They merely waited patiently and tried to make the best of matters.