INDUSTRIES AND TRADES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1749, 13 September 1905, Page 2

INDUSTRIES AND TRADES.

THEi EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL DINNER. The dinner tendered by the Wellington branch of the Employers’ Association to the members attending the annual conference took place at Godber’s Rooms, on Wednesday evening. There was a very large attendance of gentlemen from various parts of the colony, and the proceedings wore marked by an evident unanimity of purpose and close agreement upon the main principles for the acceptance of which the association strives. The chair was taken by Mr T. Ballinger, and amongst those present were the Right Hon R. J. Seddon, Sir J. G. Ward, the Hon T. W. Hislop, Messrs J. G. W. Ait-ken, J. Duthie, and F. M. B. Fisher. M.H.R.’s.

The toast of " His Majesty the King ” having.been duly honoured at the call of the chairman, AL- Gilbert Anderson, president of the Canterbury Association, proposed “ The Parliament, of New Zealand.” He said he had not expected to see so many members of Parliament present, because it was generally supposed that employers in New Zealand had a grievance against members of Parliament. He took it that a Government endeavoured to pass only such measures as it considered the voice of the people asked for. The labour laws in force had, he thought, been passed mainly at the instigation of the Trades and Labour Councils, and, in his view, that- organisation had set the employers a good example. Some fifty-three such acts had been passed, but the voice of the employers had hardly been heard at all. The present was an age of organisation and he was perfectly certain members of Parliament would only he too pleased to hear the organised voice of the employers on these questions. (Hear, hear.) The danger of organisations was that they generally only represented narrow views. Up to the present he feared that most of those present had only heard one side of the question, and the consumers’ point of view had not been at all regarded. But if was very certain that any increase of wages would necessarily come out of the pockets of the consumers, and it was to be remembered that only about 75 per cent, of the people were workers. (Hear, hear.) But he was pleased to notice that the Labour party was not unwilling to listen to the advice of unionists elsewhere. No doubt Parliament had been wise in passing certain Labour measures, although some of them had certainly antedated their usefulness. In Christchurch the Industrial Association had made arrangements for the consideration of industrial matters with the Trades and Labour Council, which, he believed, would prove to he of good effect perhaps in the near future. It \Vas a question, lie thought, whether the operation of some of the labour laws to which he had referred should not have been postponed until more industries had been established in the colony. The population of New Zealand was steadily increasing, but in many trades more men should be employed than were engaged at present. The colony had no doubt progressed amazingly during the lastfew years, but the Government would have to give greater attention to the encouragement of industries. With the threatening.? of the invasion of American “trusts” and “'combines,” it would he well for the Government to take heed of the necessity of local industries, and take such steps as would prevent the exploitation of the colony from the outside. (Cheers.)

The toast ivas heartily honoured. Mr A. IT. Rodgers recited an original “prophecy” as to what would happen i it Mr Seddon resigned, which created much amusement, and was heartily applauded. The Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, replying to the toast of "Parliament,” expressed the hope that no one p'resent avould lose any sleep on account of the “prophecy” they had just listened to, for that catastrophe was not likely to eventuate for a long while. (Laughter.) But it seemed to him from the happy countenances of those he saw around him that our industries wore flourishing, notwithstanding the inflictions of Parliament. (Laughter.) He had been surprised to hear from Mr Anderson that he could not understand how it was that so many members of Parliament were opposed to employers, for those present had accepted the toast with cordiality. (Cheers.) Parliament went on, and of necessity went on with the times. It was hardly necessary for complaint to he made that Parliament went in for too much legislation. Jf members went home alter spending some five months in Wellington, and had nothing to show lor their work they could surely hardly hope to come hack again. (Laughter.) Even the members of the Employers’ Association were expected to exiulul some reason lor their public existence, and members of Parliament in the same way had to produce a statute-book, and show the public that they were getting something for their money. (Loud laughter.) But joking apari. he fell lie must join issue with Mr Andor-on on one point. The principal labour laws-

of tho colony Avert 1 not introduced by the Trades and Labour Councils; but

the Trades and Labour Councils were the result of the labour laws. (Hear, hear.) Mr Anderson had said there had been some approachmont between thu labour organisations and the Employers’ Association?. in Christchurch. He (the Premier) was delighted to health at such a step had been taken. He would go farther, and throw out a sug-gestion—-which before long he believed would be acted upon —namely, 1 hat they would yet have joint conferences between such bodies, which would discuss matters of common interest. He would undertake to say that the result of their deliberations would be a very useful guide to Parliament, and would benefit both labour and capital. (Cheers.) The closer these forces were brought together the better it would be alike for the. capitalist and for the employer of labour, and for the labourers themselves. He spoke with confidence.when he said the workers of Nev\ Zealand were quite sensible enough to know that it was to their advantage to give the employer a reasonable margin of profit, so hat man and master might work together to their mutual advantage. (Hoar, hear.) And on the other hand, he was satisfied that capitalists and employers in this colony did not want men to work for less than a living wage. . (Cheers.) Whilst they wanted to do some good for themselves, they also wanted to see those whom they employed enjoying all reasonable comfort, and later on, perhaps, becoming themselves in their turn employers of labour. (Applause.) He would risk the statement that 95 per cent, of the gentlemen he was addressing had at one time or other been engaged in actual work themselves

—(hear, hear) —and wliat was more, they were proud of the fact, and would like to see the men whom they now employed in improved conditions. (Cheers). It was to be- remembered that if goods were produced at a loss the workers were the sufferers, because the capitalist could not carry on business under such conditions. As Mr Anderson had said, the increase of wages came out of the pocket of the consumer, but up to the present there had not been exacted much from the consumers of New Zealand. The consumer in this colony was good-natured, and the only trouble he really had to face was the invasion of the outsider. (Hear, hear.) He (Air Seddon) saw that invasion coming—and it was coming along pretty fast- He hoped Parliament would bo equal to the occasion. (Applause.) He was one of those who believed in fostering the industries of this colony. There was no market so good for the producer in any country as his home marketj and the more their industries flourished, and the more of their productions were retained in the country, the better would the people be. (Cheers.) Ere long there would have to he a combination in Parliament, and they would have to- go to work and see how they could best prevent New Zealand from being made a “ dumping ground ” of by other countries. Employers and employed would have to combine against the outsider. (Applause.) Ho thought Parliament had fairly held the scales as between employers and employed ; and if there was a balance on one side or the other, it had been because Parliament had not been apprised of the true position of affairs, and consequently had not been able to decide fairly between the contending parties. The employers now had their organisation, and lie (Air Seddon) would say to them that they should not hesitate to bring any matters which they regarded / as of public importance before members of Parliament, and he was satisfied that they would receive fair consideration. (Cheers.)

Mr J. G. W. Ait-ken, M.H.R., raised laughter at the outset of his response to the toast by remarking that- in seeking a reason for having been associated in it with the Premier, he bad come to the conclusion that it was probably because they Avere about one Aveight ! Mr Widerson had said it avus difficult to keep up with the statutes now on our statute books. He was clever if he could do that. He (Mr Aitken) had been in Parliament, for some, time, and could not do so. Mr Seddon seemed to think it Avas the province of Parliament to make, a fresh statute hook every year, ili' had no doubt that five-sixths of the people of the colony—particularly the Judges, Magistrates, and laAvyens—would he exceedingly glad if this session were to close without the addition of any more laws. The Premier: Not the lawyers! (Loud laughter.) Mr Aitken said the lawyers had quite enough to keep them employed for twenty years, to come without any more 1 laws. He congratulated the Rede ration upon being—as he considered —one that made for the advance of tho industries and of all the inhabitants of the colony. He was pleased to hear there was an attempt, to effect a combination of employers and employees in Canterbury. He hoped it would he successful and of adAOintago to both sides. lie felt very often in Parliament- that probably they were ■ not doing thing* in the very wisest way—that they might improve matters, and come to altogether wiser conclusions if, instead ol discussing questions from so many different, points of view, they should meet in smaller number's oml come to some .joint under-

standing on questions. Smaller numbers and more sympathy amongst them would, he thought, load to obtaining the very best laws and doing their very best- for the colony in which they lived. (Applause.) Air D. A. Baxter, of Napier. proposed the toast of “The New Zealand Employers’ Federation."’ He felt that the Federation was doing very useful work indeed. Their conference that day and that night's assemblage were due to the Premier’s legislation, and they owed him a debt of gratitude as the author of their being. There was no doubt in the minds of the majority of the employers that most of the present Government's labour laws had been of groat advantage, both to the worker and employer. He complimented the president (Air Cable) upon the able manner in which he had conducted that day’s proceedings at the conference. He felt sure these conferences would do a tremendous amount of good. Air W. Cable, president of the Federation, in replying to the toast, said that without any egotism they could claim that the Employers’ Federation had done great good to employers; and to workers. On no point had the employers ever applied to Parliament for anything derogatory to workers. In the hands of an association like this, comprising, as the Premier had said, 95 per cent, who had themselves been workers, the interests of employees were quite, safe. It was a well-recog-nised fact that the labour laws came on the employers unexpectedly. The employers did net believe in preference to unionists. If the Premier and Parliament wished to help both sides, they must give the employers the necessary safeguard against having the colony 'made the dumping-ground for other countries. There had, of late years, been large importations. and Parliament should protect employers and workers by «o framing the tariff that present conditions, or even improvements. could be carried to success. He recommended to the attention of Parliament the bringing in of a universal pension, and national accident insurance fund. He put it to the Premier and Al.H.R.’s whether, in view of the American trusts, something should not he done to prevent the agricultural industry of the colony being killed. It came to that. He hoped the scheme of furnishing workmen with cheap homes in the suburbs would be a

great success. Air W. L. Thompson, vice-president of the New Zealand Builders’ Federation, also responded to the toast. Some tilings in our labour legislation were, he said, often lost sight of. He thought they had still to stand the test of bad times, and he hoped l they would stand it. The unions had shown employers the value of combining. It was some satisfaction to note that the Arbitration Court was taking into consideration in making its awards the Bill effect they would have upon the particular industry concerned. The Hon T. W. Hislop proposed “ The Wellington Employers’ Association.” He said lie was at one time blamed considerably because the Government of which lie was a member introduced the Factories and Shops Bill; hut afterwards the Employers’ Association showed their magnanimity by appointing him as their first lawyer. (Laughter.) Alost of the difficulties that arose luff ween employers and employed arose out of misunderstandings, but since' the establishment of the Employers’ Association, he thought a good deal of friction had been got rid of. He was satisfied that the existence of .such an association made for the good of the employers and the employed alike. (Applause.) The toast was accorded musical honours. A clever recitation by Mr A. W. Newton was warmly applauded. Air T. Ballinger (the president of the Wellington Association) briefly responded. He said that although the association had only been formed in 1899, it was already recognised as a power in the land, and its influence had been of such a character that the members had good cause to congratulate themselves upon tile work that had been done by their united efforts. (Applause.) Air J. Duthie, Ai.H.R., in proposing the toast of “Trade and Industry, '

said. he thought the colony had reason to bo proud. We had perhaps the largest .mercantile fleet, in proportion to our size, in the world. Our export and import trade, in proportion to the size of the colony, was also perhaps unequalled. Our importers did not coniine themselves to Great. Britain, but where articles were cheapest there New Zealand importers were buying. Similarly with, our exporters. Present trade prosperity was due to private enterprise and not to the Government. Largo sums had been spent by Governments in various parts to develop our trade, and in some instances with success. Wo had reason to ho proud of the trade done by our private enterprise. We had also reason to ho proud of the state of our internal manufactures. So tar ;m any country did supply its internal wants, New Zealand avus fairly holding her own. We should always bear m mind the interests of tho consumers. Conditions oi life were making living more expensive, and ii a trade was languishing, Parliament could well see

what could be done for it—still not forgetting the consumers. He was gratified at the greater mutual toleration, satisfaction, and approbation that prevailed now between capital and labour than when the present labour laws wore being brought in and amended. Lie hoped the same spirit would continue. To our present standard of prosperity was due the toleration of the Arbitration Act. The Trades .Monopolies Hill now before the House invoked a very great question, which would have to he faced and dealt with sooner or later.

Air C. E. Dauiell. of Wairarapa in responding to the toast, said lie felt proud that New Zealand was in the forefront of those nations who believed in giving every man “a show.” He was afraid, though, that the Wellington people were so pushing that they might be unable to keep their trade going unless they looked more after

the people in the back-blocks. Air J. F Luke (Wellington) also replied on behalf of the Industrial Association, of which lie is president. It behoved them all to see that they did not live too rapid a pace, and be left lamenting if prices fell. He hoped that in carrying out the destinies of the colony they would look to the interests of those who worked for them, as well as to their own. He did not think the Government had shirked their responsibilities as to- the tariff, but the next Parliament must face it.

Air J. A. Frostiek, of Canterbury, also in response to the same toast, said lie had no hesitation as an employer in saying that there had not been a single labour law placed upon our statute hooks by the present Government which was fundamentally wrong. All that was wrong with them was their application. The only proposed act, in his mind, of which the fundamental principle was wrong was the Masters and Apprentices Act. Employers to-day unanimously disapproved limitation in the employment. of our young people. The people of this country spent about thirteen millions in imports every year. If three-quarters of that were retained in the colony how much more prosperous we should he to-day P Employers wanted workmen to have comfortable homes, and even luxuries, but they wanted protection against underselling by foreign maim f a c turers. Air F. At. B. Fisher, in proposing the toast of “ The Press,” remarked that if commercial patriotism were stimulated and fostered, he thought the attacks of “ trusts ” and “ combines " would be frustrated. (Hear, hear.) During the evening musical and other items were contributed by Alessrs A. H Rodgers, LI. Smith. A. XV. Newton, and H. F. Allen.