HON. J. A. MILLAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14245, 20 June 1908, Page 10

HON. J. A. MILLAR

Or-' ADDRESS AT MAPJEB, (Per United Press Association.) NAPIER, June 19. The Hon. J. A. Millar, .Minister of Labour, delivered an address in the Theatre Royal this evening, the Mayor (Mr J. Vigor Brown) in the chair. There wgs a large attendance. The Minister said the object of the Government., hand in haaid with the settlement of the land, was to encourage the industries, and last year I he tariff hail been amended with a view to bringing that' about, Although less than a year had elapsed since thoso amendments were made, yet already industries had grown enormously, and it was found impossible in the Dominion to get all the labour required to meet the demands. It was said the Government was driving capital out of the country by its labour legislation, but that was absolutely wrong, as was shown by the returns sent in by the employers themselves. In 1901, tho last census year, the total amount of money invested "in land, plant, machinery, etc., "in the manufactures of Now, Zealand was £8,000,000. In 1906, live years later, the amount had increased to £12,000,000. The total amount invested >in land used for manufacturing industries in 1901 was £1,900,000, in 1906 £3,264,000; in buildings in 1801, £2,750,500; in 1906, £3,851,500; in machinery, etc. in 1901 £3,662,000; in 1906, £5,392.000, or an increase in five years of £4,100,732. If that was the way Labour legislation drove capital out of the country lie honed there would be more of it. There had beeJi a gradual change of opinion through tho world with regard to the economic condition of labour. Tho Government of this Dominion | had no milestones of tho past to guide it, because in most eases it was dealing with questions which had never been dealt with in the same way before, jo it must bo excused if occasionally it made mistakes. It had been said that the Industrial Arbitration Act had been a failure, because it had not prevented strikes, but he did not think anyone ever really supposed that the act would in every case prevent strikes. He defended tho act, which he considered was the best act ever passed by the Government of New Zealand. The Royal Commission set up in 1890 to inquire into tho conditions of labour in New Zealand had found a state of things bordering on that which obtained in the large cities of the Old Country, and workers were gradually coming to as lon- a state as it was possible under the wages system. With the passing of the Industrial Arbitration Act, however, an improvement had taken place. At present tho Arbitration Court was not a? popular with the workers as it might have been in the early years after the passing of the act. As the condition of things in the country improved, the court took into consideration the improved condition of affaire, and reduced wages to what was considered a fair thing, but there was a limit beyond .which it would lie impossible reasonably to go, because prices were governed largely bv markets outside New Zealand, and 1 hov could not control them, so they must not increase the cost of production b'evond what the same class of goods could be imported for. If they did, the industries would cease, because there was ho philanthropy in.business. They could only increase the tariff |o certain limits, because they were an exporting country. The workers had the option of registering under the act. They were not forced into it, but if ihoy did register they should loyally abide by the provisions of' the act. The workers should remember Ihat if they wished io do as they liked employers would do likewise. If the act was abolished he thought unionism would soon disappear, for without the act Uie workers were not in a condition to protect themselves. Ho thought the best way of adjusting disputes was for the workers and employers to conic face to face and arrange matters. During the last 18 months 59 disputes had hewi settled_ in New Zealand in this wav without going before the Arbitration Court at all. The workers in this country were in the majority, and ineii and women had a vole, so if the legislation was not satisfactory 'it was their fault, There had been a steady increase in the cost of living, but that was chiefly due to the prices ruling in the countries to which our goods were exported, and not |o the increase in wages. tie intended during the coming session to propose several amendments to the Industrial Arbitration Act, He thought nonunionists sliould be made to contribute the same subscription to the unions as that paid by unionists, because they benefited equally in any awards obtained. He aho intended to propose amendments to the j Employers Liability anil Workers OompeiiI satiou for Accidents Act. At present those who were entitled to money under ilicio acts did not always get the full amount I [ because there was so much legal difficulty I

in ascertaining (lie amount payable. He knew of an instance whero a widow, entitled to £400 compensation lor the loss of her Jnislwnd, only received £c 0 after all expenses hail been deducted. 'Hie act should fix the amounts livable with respect to specified injuries, etc.,"ami that amount should bo payable in full. Mr A. L. 1). Krnscr, M.P. for Napier also spoke, advocating (he adoption of tlie second ballot at elections, and also the abolition of special representation to Maoris. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was carried.