THE INDUSTRIAL YEAR

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11410, 5 January 1923, Page 5

THE INDUSTRIAL YEAR

DEVELOPMENTS IN 1922 WAGES REDUCTION AND ARBITRATION COURT. THE POSITION REVIEWED. It was pointed out to a “New Zealand Times” reporter yesterday that the past year had been an interesting one from an industrial point of view. Early in 1922 trade and industry were suffering from post-war depression. A fall in wages became inevitable because of inflation. Legislation was passed in 1918 enabling the Arbitration Court to adjust wages to the increase or decrease in the cost of living at periodical intervals during the currency of awards. This had an important bearing on subsequent* events. “During the years that the cost of living was increasing,” it was stated, “wages were raised to meet the same. The court acted on a six-monthly moving average, a basis which met with considerable opposition from the workers. They pointed out that their wages were not keeping pace with the cost of living. Quite so. The workers, however, are now being recompensed that wages are being reduced. The six-monthly moving average is acting to the advantage of the worker now that their wages are on the downward grade. “It was recognised that the true test of the arbitration system would come when the time had arrived for a reduction of wages, and that proved to be the case towards the close of the year. However, it may he said that the system has stood the test. well. The court made two orders last year reducing wages. The first, in May, made a reduction of five shillings. There Was a further reduction of three shillings in November.. Although strong opposition was made by the representatives of the men, the bulk .of the> workers realised that the' conditions of trade and industry necessitated a reduction "in the costs of production, and, what is more important, were ready to honour the bargain whereby they received increases proportionate to the cost of living and were to suffer corresponding decreases. * UNEMPLOYMENT. '

“There was an unusual amount of unemployment throughout the winter, but much of the consequent hardship was mitigated by relief works instituted by tile Government and municipal bodies. It,is quite probable that the state of tl® labour market had .the effect of preventing industrial strife during the year: It is probable that rt wifi again have a similar effect in the immediate future, \ with. the prospect of winter ahead. It is true that .the conditions of trade:and industry are improving, and. the end of the year saw a marked change for the better. The Dominion is emerging from a period of slump and general depression. Whether it will wholly recover its former prosperity depends largely on the efficiency in production, which. is more or Jess dependent on industrial peace. At preeent there are dark clouds looming on the industrial horizon. “The Arbitration Court had a particularly strenuous year. The fact that there was a minimum of industrial strife is a* tribute to the impartiality of the Court, and the: of the system. The minor stoppages of work that occurred during the year were purely local, and invariably the workers came off second best It was not a time for strikes. THE ARBITRATION COURT. “Awards were made in disputes bv the court affecting all; branches of j murine, shearing, engineering, and othei sections of industries and trades of 1 importance to the country’s general prosperity. In the case of the wateraiders the Court, made a substantial reduction in rates Svith a view to inn.k ing a Dominion, award with more er less uniform conditions. This class of. labour had not been before the court for some years. Although certain criticism was indulged in, the end of the year saw the men working peacefully under'the provisions of this award. The seamen also had riot been before: the court for some years. Their award oansed certain dissatisfaction as is well known. Free labour was employed, and for some weeks there has been no great inconvenience amongshipping. COALMINERS 'AND ENGINEERS. “The coalminers werb steadier than usual in 1922. Unemployment and shortage of work undoubtedly ' had a sobering effect. On the West Coast particularly, arid at other mines, short time was . worked owing to the absence of orders. An important faptor in this connection was the large importations of coal by the. Government. The State mine is believed to be the seat of any industrial trouble that might possibly eventuate. Small strikes were called periodically at this mine, butdid not cause any serious dislocation in the industry. ‘ ‘The engineering trade has also been passing through a slump period. As vet there ia little sign of improvement. Muoh of the depression has been due to the loss of purchasing power by farmers, this reflecting in the diminished output of, agricultural implements and machinery. The. importation of Canadian and lAmerioan stocks is i also said to have contributed to the iituation. With increased prices for primary products, however,-the position of the pastoral and agricultural industries is likely to improve. This should reflect t°ad e a<^Tan^a ® e> °( the engineering TRADE UNIONISM. ! “Other matters of interest industrially during 1922 was the freezing works strike, and the institution of the ‘team’ system; the fire at the Blackball coal mine, whioh resulted in over 200 men being thrown out of employment, most of whom were absorbed by other companies, and thd Ngakwau strike over the dismissal of an enginedriver, lasting six weeks. In this instance the disputes committee justified the dismissal, and the men resumed work. Another important matter during the year was tine formation of the Grey District Federation, as distinct from the New Zealand organisation. In connection with trades unionism, there was a good deal of dissatisfaction during the year concerning internal management. Several matters concerning defalcations by officials were ventilated before the courts. Then there was the application by the new waterside union for registration, and litigation by members of the Wellington Union, with the consequent important pronouncement by Mr Justice Hoeking.”