LABOUR DISPUTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21757, 23 March 1934, Page 9

LABOUR DISPUTES

AMERICA'S PROBLEMS , PRESIDENT ARBITRATES NEGOTIATIONS PROCEEDING RAILWAYS AND MOTOR TRADE By Telegraph—Preßs Association —Copyrichtt (Received March 22, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON. March 21 President Roosevelt to-day made some progress with his efforts to arbitrate in the industrial disputes. The railway owners and union brotherhood accepted his offer to avail themselves of the services of Mr. Joseph Eastman, Federal railway co-ordinator, to aid in the negotiations. However, both sides indicated that they would press their respective demands. The operators wish to continue the 10. per cent cut in wages and the unionists insist that the cut must be restored with a 10 per cent increase.Mr. Roosevelt also conferred with the motor manufacturers. It is understood they are willing to grant minor concessions, but are adamant against recognition of the American Federation of Labour. The union leaders are to go to White House to-morrow to present their side. No indication has been given as to whether the union is inclined to call off or further postpone the order to strike on Friday.

RECOVERY PLAN monetary aspects ECONOMIST'S DENUNCIATION (Received March 22, 6.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 21 At an all-day session the Academy of Political Science thoroughly canvassed President Roosevelt's recovery programme, particularly the monetary aspects. Mr. Ogden Mills, Professor George Warren, Mr. Owen Young, Mr. Russell Leffingwell (one of the senior partners in J. P. Morgan and Company), and Si* Arthur Salter and Sir George Paish (British economists) led the discussions. / Mr. Mills pleaded for economic freedom as opposed to the regimentation of industry. Professor Warren, who is the author of the gold buying plan, was the principal defender of the Government. Sir Arthur Salter discussed international economics in relation to politics, saying that while he did not believe war was near, economic warfare might lead to clashes. Sir George Paish criticised both the American and the French gold pdlicies as having brought the world to ruin. He said that if they continued to increase their gold stocks no monetary system would work at all. " You will reduce the world to such poverty and distress," said Sir George, " that there will not be a system at all —not even a system of Government."

STEEL INDUSTRY EFFECT OF THE CODE CREATING A MONOPOLY (Received March 22. 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 21 In the Senate to-day Mr. W. E. Borah quoted a report of the Federal Trade Commission to the effect that the operation of the N.R.A. code was making the steel industry a monopoly. He attacked the Recovery Act as the creator of monopolies, economically unsound and tantamount to economic feudalism. Mr. Borah said that through the "iron and steel institute" the major steel companies were fixing prices which were rising too rapidly in comparison with others, to the detriment of national recovery. >

FARM PRODUCTS AID FOR DAIRYING COMING WHEAT CONFERENCE (Received March 22, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON", March 21 The agricultural adjustment adminisI tration to-day projected the last of a series of processing taxes on basic farm products. It proposes to raise 165,000,000 to 300,000,000 dollars annually through-taxes of. 1 to 5 cents per 1001b. of butter-fat. The proceeds iire to be distributed as benefits to dairy farmers in return for agreements to reduce their production 10 to 20 per cent below last year's average. There are many complaints that milk producers are suffering because of under consumption, not over production. Increased prices have further dislocated distribution. American delegates are "preparing to i leave for Rome to attend the international wheat \pact advisory committee's meeting on April 15. It is believed that they will demand compliance with the existing agreement before they enter Upon further negotiations. It is pointed out that whereas most of the wheat-producing countries have taken steps to comply with the export restriction and increased domestic consumption clauses only the United States and Canada have undertaken to reduce their production. No mention is made of what Argentina has done, but it is believed she is not enthusiastic over complying with the terms of the pact.