OTAGO EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12471, 30 September 1902, Page 7

OTAGO EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION.

-■-" * The following is the annual report of the Otago Employee' Association to be litted to the annual meeting on Friday, OctoW 21:-r-Youi executive have much pleasure in sut Knitting tho annual report of the association for tho year ended August 31, 1902. As you axe aware the association was reorganised a iittlo over a year ago, and tho work already done has more than justified ita existence. Membership.—The number of members belonging, to the association during the past year was 163, representing nearly 7000 employees, about 5600 of whom are adult workers. On our list of members are most of the largest firms in Dunedin and th« surrounding district— the flour millers, the timbei companies, the clothing manufacturers, the cable tr»m companies, the leading wholesale and retail houses, the Ironfounders' Association, the Gold Mining Companies' Asaosiation, and the'principal coal mining companies. The association, however, has only begun its work, and we should not rest eatisfied until we have brought into our ranks every employer in tho district. Finance.—The financial position of the association ia satisfactory,, and it has JE2OO on deposit with the Commercial Piojierty and Finance- Company (Limited) at 4 per cent, as irom the Ist of September, .1902. , The Executive.—Your, executive has had a considerable accession to its strength since the election at.the first meeting owing to a large number of different masters' associations having become connected with the aosociation during the year. We have now on the executive representatives of the following masters' associations;— The ironfounders, ■ tailors, drapers, the furnitiire makers, printers, lithographers and bookbinders, grocers, gold mining companies, painters, butchers, builders, clothing manufacturers, and flourmillers. 'Your executive is now a body thoroughly representative of the many and varied interests of employers, and it is to be hoped that such masters' assocja!«o'ns as have not yet become affiliated will *eo their way to do so during the coining year. Labour Bills Committee.—A sub-committee irom the executive was set up early in the year to consider and report on the chief labour acts, more especially the Factories' Act, the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and the W&rkers' Compensation for Accidents Act. Their report was considered by the execu-. tive, and afterwards sent to the employers' associations in New Zealand for their consideration, in order thnt representations might be ■ made tc Parliament on bchftif of the whole of. the employers throughout tho colony. This toas been duly attended to. Conference at Wellington.—A conference of delegates from all the employers' associations in New Zealand was held at Wellington on the 7th and Bth August to consider the proposed amendments of the labour laws as well as* the question of federation, and it was decided to form a New Zealand Federation ot Employers' Associations. Mr Booth (Canterbury) was appointed president, and an executive of representatives from each association •was elected. The conference waited as a deputation upon the Minister of Labour, and placed ■before him thoir views regarding labour questions. The Minister said that' wTien the views of the employers were, placed before him .in •writing he would lay their proposals before the Cabinet for their consideration, and also intimated that, with the exception of the Factories' Act Amendment Bill, no further labour legislation would be introduced during the present session. The delegates from this association to the conference were Messrs K. Rameay (president), J. C. Thomson and W. Scott (vice-presidents), J. M'Gregor (Ironmasters' Association), and the secretary. Owing to pressure of'business Mr Thomson was unable to go, ancl Mr Baunsay was engaged giving evidence before the Shipping and Sganien's Committee while the conference was sitting, and consequently was unable to attend its meetings. Retailers' Section.—At the beginning of the year a conference held between representatives of the Employers and of the Retailers' Associations, when an addition was made to our rules to meet the wishes of the Retailers, on which they disbanded and "joined our association. There is now a retailers' section, having a committed to deal with matters specially affecting its interests. The following intimation has been niado by the retailers'/section relative to holidays, subscriptions, and advertising:—Tho members of the retailers' section ■will not subscribe to any bazaars, sports, picnics, or prize funds, nor advertise on programmes, tickets, or publications connected ■with the above, theatres aaid entertainments included.—Robt. Chisholm (chairman), Jas. M. E. Garrow'(secretary). Holiday List: Janaury 1, January % February races (Cup Day) from noon (Wednesday), Good Friday, Easter Monday), Anniversary Day (March 23), Labour Day (October), King's Birthday , (November 9), People's Show Day (November) from noon, Christmas Day, Boxing Day. ' Conciliation Board.—The election for representatives on the. Conciliation Board took place in March of this year, and, as the retiring members did not seek ie-election, your executive recommended the affiliated associations to support Messrs W. Scott, and J. M'Gregor ior the vacancies thus created, and we have much pleasure jn stating that these gentlemen ■were elected without opposition. Conciliation and Arbitration.—During the year your secretary has had to conduct a largo number of cases before the Conciliation Board and the Arbitration Court. Many important points have cropped up in connection with some of these, as for example the queation of the strict definition of the term " employer," the question as to whether an award can override an industrial agreement, and as to whether the court, can award more than a> union demands, as in two instances has been done. Your executive would strongly urge on employers the absolute necessity of organising and of having their cases thoroughly prepared prior to going before the court. Apart from any special regard for their own interests it is "duo to the court that this should be done, and,the executive will gladly afford eveTy assist ance in tills directionThe Conciliation and Arbitration Act.—Following the example of other employers' associations your executive sent out circulars to members inviting them to give their opinions on the working of the Conciliation anff Arbitration Act. A fair number of replies was received! The members who replied were almost ■unanimously of opinion that the act had not produced the beneficial results claimed for it, that it had to some extent hindered the investment of capital In industries, and had also seriously interfered with employers in the conduct of thoir businesses. Copies of the replies have been forwarded to members. The attention of members is drawn to the following;—" The Factories Act, 1901," section 28! Note especially subsection 4. Section 38, subsection 1: "If in consequence of any such default as aforesaid an accident occurs causing death or bodily injury to any person, then, in addition to the occupier's liability under the Inst preceding section, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding. £100, the whole or any part of which may in such manner as the Minister directs be applied for the benefit of the person injured or of his family or dependants if he has been killed.'' Section 38, subsection 4: "Nothing in this section shall operate to in any ■way relieve the occupier from any liability ■which, independently of this act, ho may incur for damage or compensation in respect of the accident or its consequences." Does your accident insurance policy- expressly cover the risk ■under this section ?