ENGINEERS' DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21327, 31 October 1932, Page 12

ENGINEERS' DISPUTE

CONCILIATION FAILURE

GENERAL WAGES QUESTION

Views OF MR. T. 0. BISHOP

[BIT TELEGRArn —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON", Saturday The hearing of the dispute in the engineering industry was continued before the Conciliation Commissioner, Mr. W. Newton, to-day. A deadlock resulted when the employees refused to waive a proposal to insert in the new award a clause classifying workers into various sections of the industry and preventing a member of one section from doing work in another section.

Mr. G. A. I'ascoe, Christchurch, said his firm had submitted "the lowest New Zealand tender for a Government contract, but had been underbid by a British firm. Many thousands of pounds' worth of work had gone out of the Dominion. Had it not been for the wages his firm was compelled to pay, it would have been able to secure the contract.

The assessor for the employees said that workers in Great Britain were able to accept lower wages because their cost of living was lower. Employers, he conshould help to reduce standing costs. Wages and Standing Costs " Every time we try to do it you put a concrete wall up against it," said Mr. T. O. Bishop, employers' advocate. " Wages play a very big part in all standing costs, and you always fight against wages being brought down. The point you entirely overlook is that we are the least self-supporting community in the world. Our principal market is in every country where you say wages are too low. Wo cannot only buy more cheaply there, but we have to sell our goods there. If you were lending money to someone who was living more expensively than you were, you would begin to wonder whether you were going to get your money back, and that is what this country has been doing. " We have been able to carry on in the past because we have borrowed to mako up the difference, but it does not seem to me practicable, or possible, to maintain a higher standard than the country to which we sell our products," said Mr. Bishop. "if we all work together adjustment can bo brought about with less hardship than would otherwise be tho case, but do not think it can be avoided. Defects in Social System Mr. A. Black, Wellington, one of the employees' assessors, said he did not agree with Mr. Bishop's theory. If wages had not been reduced in Great Britain, New Zealand would still be securing good prices for its products " I am quite prepared to auinit that there is something wrong with the social system which has brought about the present state of affairs, but that does not alter the domestic position in New Zealand," said Mr. Bishop. "New Zealand is absolutely dependent upon its overseas markets for the consumption of a large proportion of its'products. I had been hoping that when the new export season commenced things would improve, but apparently there is not much to be hoped for this year." Mr. Bishop pointed out that wool had fallen Id a pound, as compared with the price this time last year. Fat lambs, which had been the only source of profit to many farmers, had dropped from 8 l-8d a pound to 4 7-8 d and 5d a pound. There were just enough bright spots on the horizon, however, to encourage the employers- to carry on. No progress having been made on the major questions, the commissioner suggested an adjournment. Upon the resumption of the hearing Mr. G. T. Thurston, Christchurch, said the employees would like to hear what concessions, if any, the other side was prepared to offer. Mr. Bishop: What is the good of sparring for a win ? You seem frightened to open your minds to us. There is no need to bo frightened. Anything you say is without prejudice. We are here to make a deal with you if we can. Is there any hope of success? You are still frightened to tell us. You say 'show us you hand'— wo have no hand to show you. If you tell us you are prepared to pursue a certain line, then we can proceed to discuss it, otherwise we may as well pack up and go home. " An Honest Attempt Made "

Mr. Thurston said that under no circumstances were the workers prepared to accept Is IOJd an hour for skilled work. Mr. Bishop : Well, gentlemen, all I have to say is, Thank you for coming here, and thank you, Mr. Commissioner, for presiding. fhe commissioner said he had great hopes that an agreement would have been arrived at. However, that was not possible. Both parties had made an honest attempt to meet each other. Expressing regret that negofiations had failed lor the present, Mr. Bishop said the only thing for the parties to do was to continue as best they could" without an award. In most districts satisfactory agreements had been entered into, although some trouble had occurred in Wellington. The work was there if the men wanted it. He thought everybody was making an honest attempt to meet the situation.

Mr. Thurston said the employees were just as anxious as the employers to come to an agreement, but they were not prepared to agree to any old thing.