THE ARBITRATION ACT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7865, 29 July 1911, Page 1

THE ARBITRATION ACT

WHAT ARE ITS EFFECTS DISCUSSION AT THE FARMERS’ CONFERENCE. A discussion concerning tlio Industrie 1 Conciliation and Arbitration Act took place at tlio Farmers' Union Conference yesterday, Tho question was introduced by Mr K. Evans, of Canterbury, who moved : That tho conference take into consideration tho operation-s of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act with reference to its bearing on the Industries of tlio Dominion, as it is of opinion that it is seriously retarding their and fh.en Government be <T-'kcd to appoint a Royal Commission of practical men to inquire into the operations of the Act. It was one of the most important questions that had com© before the farmers, ho said, and it was also important to those outside tho farming community. It was a most difficult position to face. It had been proved that the other side would make use of the Act as lons as it -suited their purposes. When it did not suit they threw up their ixypstration and struck work. Things pointed that, way at lYaLhi, Neither the formers nor ■ the employers had asked for tho Act. The executive of the Farm Labourers' Union in Canterbury did hot represent tho mon carrying on tho farm work in the distinct. There was not one- man on the executive who was an active farm worker. Tho labour leaders said to the mon, "You have got all the court will pivo you," and the reply was generally, "Then ire will chuck it up." He was satisfied that it would be better for whole of the industries of New Zealand if tho Act suspended operations and allowed matters to go on as before. A DISTINCT THREAT. Mr G. Sheat (North Canterbury) said he had been told by a certain labour leader that if the farm labourers did not obtain justice in regard to tlvreir demands they would affiliate with the General Labourers"* Union, and would paralyse the whole of the industry early next - year. That was a distinct threat. Tho workers wanted the court only ns long ns it suited their own ends. ,It w;m crippling industry. If the farmers were , brought under tho award now circulate© in Canterbury, tho price of food won Id go up all round. lYhat was the good of a court or council which- the men would only recognise a© long os it suited their particular ends Ho had been told, by Mr Laracy that three elections from now the Labour party would be 60 twganhvod that' it would capture ©very seat in tho Dominion. Labour legislation from its inception had been experimental in the Dominion, said Air F. Hockley filuntervilie), Tlio basis of success was fair play for both sides. The time had arrived when inquiry should be made into the working of tho ’ Act, and the ..results should be compared - with the experience of other countries. They might, for instance, he ahlo to graft, on to our legislation a board, /modelled on the Australian idea. ■ Inquiry would bo a very good thing, and the system Now Zealand was now working under might be perfected. Mr D. Jones (Canterbury) said it had been skated that: the Arbitration Act had boon responsible for the cost of'production materially increasing, while the ontput of the individual worker bad decreased. If that was eo it meant, that tho country was living on its capital and becoming poorer by tlio process. Full inquiry iTl to all the facts should be-made, - and if the weight of evidence went against the Act it should he repealed. IS XT JUDICIOUS P Tho question was raised hy Mr J. Talbot (South Canterbury) - whether it]' - ’) 3 judicious to pass such a motion. Their experience of Koval Commiesjons in the past had not. been very satisfactory Tb© president (Mr J. G. Wilson, Hulls',: The Racing Gommissjon, for instance. Mr Talbot said the commission proposed might be resultless. It was not wise tp discuss tho Act without going 1 into tho question. For instance, the\; should take no notice of individual throats such as one delegate had related. Mr O. F. Horrell (North Canterbury) suggested the striking out of all tho first portion of the remit, with the view .of merely asking tho Government to set up a commission. When the question was discussed by the Canterbury provincial executive nothing whatever was said against the passing of the Act, but the workers had to see for themselves whether they had anything to gain from it or not. * Ho gave tho members of the House every credit for having brought tho Act into force. They were anxious to see that their children obtained decent working conditions, and that the sweating that went on in older countries did not obtain in New Zealand. Air A. Ll D. Fraser (Hawke's Bay) said ho had not the slightest respect for Royal Commissions. They were tho sheet anchor of the shuffler and tho most extravagant luxury the Government had indulged in. They had proved a glorious holiday for tho members and a heavy expense upon tho funds of the Dominion. Tho whole question could be considered by a select committee ect up by tho confeience. and the result could bo handed over to the Minister’ in charge of the department. The Act was good in its intensions, but the administration had not been of tho best. He moved as an amendment— That the conference . appoint a select committed to take into consideration the operations of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act with reference to its bearing' on tho industries of the Dominion, that such committee shall have power. to call outside evidence if necessary, and shall submit tho results of their deliberations to. the Minister of Labour for liis favourable consideration. ... Mr H. A. -Nevins (Wellington), in seconding the amendment, said it was amost'important question. Nino men could form a union and summon the employers before the court from every part of Now Zealand, as was done in the shearers' dispute. That was a serious tiring because the employers were bound to attend and had no voice at all. THE MXDDLEM AN. Air C. IT. Eneor (North Canterbury! pointed out that' it was the middleman, as a rule, that had to oppose the labour demands, and yet it was immaterial to him whether 'wages were increased, as any rise was invariable passed on to the consumer. The producer and consumer were concerned the*most, and should be tho first to take action. Mr .1. E. Makgill (Auckland) said if the committee was to bo of any use representative men from the labour organisa-

Lions should bo invited to meet the committee. . A great benefit would bo conferred on tlio country if a representative gathering discussed impartially a question seriously affecting every section of the community. Mr D. Jones (Canterbury) said it would mean a' huge inquiry, and might cost' jgSOff sor d;U>OO very easily. < Tlio conference should seriously * consider what it was committing itself to. Mr H. D. Vavasour (Marlborough) was strongly in favour of a Royal Commission on such a very important question. Tho expense would have to bo borne by the country, and no matter what the price, it would bo cheap if a satisfactory solution was arrived at. Major Lusk (Auckland) said tho lesser of the two evils would be the Royal Commission. Mr G. Sheat (North Canterbury) said tho conference could not compel any person to give evidence. The Royal Commission was the only safe course to xmrsue. Tho system of squeezing another shilling was continually in evidence, and the whole working of tho Act should be inquired into. • THE. OPPOSITION MEMBERS. A delegate remarked that he was sorry Mr Massey and the other Opposition members of Parliament who had attended that morning were not present to speak on the matter. . Mr E. Evans (Canterbury): They are politicians.; They went out as soon as the resolution came on. Mr W, J. Birch (Marton) said the conference had a stone wall before it. They could not undertake the work proposed. It would take too long and be too expensive, Nothing had been lost, however, by debating the question. Mr F. Horroil (North Canterbury) suggested that it might be just as well to leave the question to the advisory committee to bring before tho Minister ot Labour at any convenient time. Mr A. L. D. Fraser skid now was the time to move*, as the Government was about to amend the Act this session. By consent of the conference he withdrew his amendment and substituted tho following in its stead : * That a committee bo 'sot up, such committee to be the advisory committee of the union, to consider tho operations of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act ami 1 watch the proposed amending Act. now before Parliament, with authority to lay any proposals agreed'to by tho committee before the Minister of Labour lor his favourable consideration. The president said tho Bill could be ?©nt to tho various branches of tho union for consideration. They should be asked to appoint witnesses to appear before tho committee. Mr Fraser's amendment was carried without further discussion.