EMPLOYEES' FEDERATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14684, 18 November 1909, Page 8

EMPLOYEES' FEDERATION

SEVENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

(Per United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, November 17.

Tho seventh annual conference of the New Zealand Employers' Federation opened to-day. The president (Mr W. Foster) was in the cluir, and there were also present—Hon. C. M. Luke, M.L.O. (vice-president), Mr W. H. Bennett (trustee), Mr R. A. Sc.ill (treasurer), and Mr W. H. i'ryor (secretary), officers of tlfo federation. "The delegates were as follows: Auckland, Messrs D. Goldie, J. Miller, C. Rhodes, and C. Grosvenor; Taranaki, Mr H. CJoodacre; Ha>ke's Bay, Messrs H, G. Warren and S. E. Wright; Wanganui, Messrs Lloyd Jones and G'. Caiman; Manawatu, Messrs A. E. Bennett, R, W. Abraham, and W. M'Kenzie; Wairarapa, Messrs C. E. Daniel! and Jolm Hunter; Wellington, Messrs W. Hopkirk, T. Ballinger, L. S. Williams, C. M. Banks, and W. A. W. Grenfell; Canterbury, Messrs P. L. Hallenstein, F. W. Hobbs, K. F. England, and H. Broadhead; Nelson, Mr H. Coull; South Canterbury, Ma - A. W. Bascand; West Co?st, Mr E. S. Pilclier; North Otagd', Mr R. Milligau; Otago, Mesrs J. C. Thomson and R. Chisholm; Southland, Mr S. Craig; Reefton Mineowners, Mr S. L. P. Free; New Zealand Shipowners' Federation, Mr W. E. Fuller j Paparoa Gold Mining Co., Messrs J. J.' Maxivell and G. Townsend; National Dairy' Association, Mr A. M'Farlane; Now Zealand Flaxmillers' Association, Messrs B. T. Bell and T. L. Broad; New Zealand Builders' Federation, Mr W. S.. Thompson; Woollen Manufacturers, Mr A. E, Exlev; Chamber of Commerce, Mr J. G. UaTkness.

In the annual report regretful reference was made to the death of Mr S. Brown, and congratulations were extended to his successor, Mr W. Scott. "It is pleasing to be able to report," continued the executive's statement, " that the signs of industrial unrest which were so apparent when last year's report was written have almost entirely passed away. A number of reasons have been advanced for the change of attitude on the part of workers' unions and labour leaders, and, iu the opinion of the executive, tho principal cause of the present period of comparative industrial peace was the recent depression in trade, 4nd the consequent surplus labour supply. It is a much more difficult task to get workers to cease work when there arc plenty of others to take tlioir places than when they know that tho demand exceeds the supply. It has been advanced that the setting up of conciliation councils has had ;i considerable effect upon the tituation, but whilo the executive admits that a large number of so-called disputes hits bean settled by means of the conciliation councils, it cannot be said they have been an important factor in promoting industrial peace. As a matter of fact, the number of disputes being filed is as great as ever,.as during the period between February 1 and July 31 of this year no fewer th.in 70 of tiiese 'disputes' have been dealt with by means of the conciliation councils and the Arbitration Court, or .settled by industrial agreements. The depression ill the trade lias again bad some effect, and has been an important factor in bringing about settlements, as union representatives have recognised the futility under existing circumstances of pressing for their ofttimes exorbitant demands. Iu this connection the secretary felt compelled, in. the interests of employers generally, to request the Arbitration Court to express an opinion on the attitude adopted by unions in continually coming forward with claims for higher wages, shorter hours, etc., and the following statement by the court in connection with the Qishomo pi inters award lias, in the opinion of your, executive,, had a, salutary effect Much expense and disappointment will be avoids! if the executives of unions will ponder well what we have said, and if beforo originating a dispute, tliev will ascertain that there is some definite and' reasonable ground for asking for an alteration in the terms of an existing award, ahd will recognise that, without some sucll ground, it is useless to ask for an alteijt, lion. It is idle to ask, as many unions do, toy an increase in the wages lixed by an existing award, and to have nothing better to offer in support of the application than the evidence of a number of workers who are prepared to say that, in their opinion, the wages asked for are reasonable. To rely on evidence of that kind is to confess that the union has been unable to find 'anything m the shape of fact or argument to support its case.' " 0

Reviewing the amended act-, the report stated: "While there are some serious delects in the measure as it now stands, it has to be admitted that the whole of the recommendations of the federation were given ,careful consideration, both bv, the Minister of Labour (the Hon. J A. Millar) and the Labour Bills Committee of the Lower House. Indeed, if t-iie measure had become law as it left the House of Representatives it would have been much more satisfactory to employers than it is in its present form." After opposing tho proposal to allow enforcement- cases to bo taken by. magistrates, tho federation agreed 1 to° a trial of the scheme, with tho following safeguards:—(l) To allow an appeal from, a magistrate to the Court ot Arbitration, and (2) to give power to inspectors o£ awards to bring any action t«r enforcement of awards in th ß Court oi Arbitration instead of in the Magistrate's Court. '• The experiment of the "enforcement cases being taken by the magistrates," comments the executive, "has been sufficiently, long in operation to show that _ the iears expressed as to varvin<r decisions and differed penalties were well founded. It is only lair to note, however, that tho ridiculously high fines imposed by some magistrates are not now being intlk-ted."

It was submitted that "a serious omission from the aet is that owing to a misunderstanding provision is not made for laymen to appear as advocates in breach of award cases be/ore magistrates." the Minister had promised an amendment to remove this disability. After commenting on the conciliation section of the amended act, the report lemaiked: "While there is cause for congratulation at the measure of success attained in this connection, it is vcrv questionable if employers interested in industrial disputes in many eases realise tho extra responsibility* thrown upon them to safeguard not only their own interests, but the interests of all other employers by refusing to give way on matters of principle or agree to provisions in awards which have not so far been inserted by the Arbitration Court, lite Advisory Board has been seriously concerned at the evident weakness of assessors in some respects, and lias been compelled to issue a circular drawm" attention to the necessity for asseSors while doing all that- is reasonable to secure settlement- by conciliation, ensuring that such settlements are not obtained at 100 great a cost." The executive he'd that the appointment of assessors in disputes and the payment of fees by the Government-, the amount earned * beinogoverned by the number of sittings held" are also sources of danger, ~ ' Various amendments of the act were suggested, including provisions to " permit industrial agreements -being converted into awards without the necessity of appearing before Conciliation Councils." Between January 1 and June 30, 43 disputes were settled thus by the parties and the Conciliation Commissioner without the aid of assessors, 16 by the parties themselves, four by the Conciliation Council, 11 wholly and three partially referred to the Arbitration Court, six wholly and three partially dealing with preference to unionists.

The executive "urges; upon employers the necessity of continued objections beinnmade until the industrial awards of tho Dominion were eleared of a clause which 5s olv. tuxious not only to employers, but to a very large number of our best workers."

•' The warnings issued by the executive in past years regarding the Socialistic tendencies of the Trafe and Labour Councils of the Dominion have proved well founded,", declared tlie report, " in grester degree than ever before. The Labour leaders are now pressing their

claims for the nationalisation of all means of production, distribution, and wealth. The defection of Mr A. W. Hogg, M.l\, from the ranks of the Liberal party, and his uvi4cnt intention to place himself, if possible, at- the head of a distinct Labour .party, brings nearer the three-party system in the politics of New Zealand foreshadowed in last year's report. While it may bo a matter for congratulation t-lwt the Liebral party should be disassociated from the extreme Labour party, it rests with the employers of the Dominion to see to it. that the third party does not secure that dominance which will enable it to dictate terms which will secure the introduction oi further SociVistie legislation in New Zealand. There is no question but that the industries of the Dominion have as many burdensome restrictions imposed upon them as they can possibly bear."

Tne repoit conceded that the administration of the Labour Department continued to bo of a satisfactory character. With very few exceptions, the inspectors of factories and awards carried out their duties in a fair and impartial manner. In one or two cases, however, inspectors appeared to think that it is their duty to catch employers committing breaches of tho various acts or awards instead of trying to assist employers to observe them.

The follo.viii;r officers were elected President, Mr W. G. Foster; vice-presi-dent, Hon. ('. M. - Luke, M.L.C.; treasurer. Mr E. A. Scott; trustee, Mr W. 11. Bennett; Parliamentary Committee—Messrs J. Allen, M.P., C. M. Banks, J. Bcvoridge, 11. Jnni.-s, S. S. Kirkcaldy, G. If. Chapman', N. F. Morley, If. Seaton, L. 8. Humphries,

It was resolv-ed to urge on tho Government or the Commissioner of Taxes that at least 5 per cent, on the full value , of all machinery be allowed off income tax.

The attention of the Minister of Labour is to be directed to the point that forwarding of the Conciliation Council's reiConunendations as agreements to be forthwith converted into awards is. contrary to i clause 43 of tho Arbitration Act.

It was decided to recomqiend that the wages named in Arbitration Court awards shall not apply to Government, municipal, or public relief works started to relieve distress and unemployment..

A resolution was adopted approving of tho principle of the New Zealand Local Time Bill, and a delegate was appointed to attend the committee of the House tomorrow. My Sidev, M.P., author of the bill, addressed the conference.

PROFIT-SHARING RECOMMENDED,

Speaking at the luncheon, Dr Newman (Mayer of Wellington) said his belief about the industries of New Zealand was that more money wcuk'.- be put into tlieni if it were not for lad: of confidence, and industrial troubles had contributed to that lack. He considered that the only way to arrive at peace was by a system of profit-sharing. He had studied the I question, and he was convinced that tho i was sound. He hoped that faith in it would spread more and more,