OTAGO EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2850, 28 October 1908, Page 25

OTAGO EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE. The following a,i>e some of the clauses of tho annual report to be submitted to the members of the association ait the annual meeting, which has been, called for Friday, 30th inst. : — Membership. — Owing to so many firms and persons being repressnted through unions of cmplloyers affiliated with the association, it is very hard to arrive at an estimate of the membership of the association. All the organised trades, however, are affiliated with us, and every year ,adds to the individual membership. The association now embraces all the .leading firms in every industry; ' Finaaices.— : Nott«rithstanding - an annually increasing expenditure, the finances aro well maintained, The year opened with a credit balance , of £4.05 12s lid and closed wilh a credit balance* of £470. Executive. — Your executive has met from time to time during the year as circumstances required, and has dealt with many important matters, more particularly in connection with legislation. Year after year bills are introduced into the House with worthy objects in view, but in almost every instance con-taining one or two drastic and far-reaching clauses that call for constant vigilanca on the P*y£ of the ■ccoeutiv-e. " Arbitration Act.— The now act, with all iis defects, should be more, equitable in its working and more in the interests of the community than any other bill of its kind that we know of. If it does not prove a success, then the arbitration part of the measurp must be repealed, and the workers ijiven tho choice of conciliation or strikes. Your executive hopes thai employers will fjive the new conditions a fair trial, a.nd that they will prove more beneficial than their predecessors. To this end employers are recommended to obtain an early copy of the act and to (five tho many amendments a careful study. Federation of Industries. — In the opinion of your executive, the time has come when each trade should form a 'trade federation. The worker*' unions are federating throughout the Dominion and should be opposed by a federated body of employers. There is also a poseibility of the workers refusing to come within the provisions of the Arbitration Act and preferring the right to strike. If strikes are again resorted to they should be met by federated bodies and dealt with by an organisation representing all the employers in th© trade affected, and not by individuals, as has been tho custom in the past. In other words, the employers should have all the machinery at hand to handle strikes in the same was as is done by the employers of the United Kingdom. Secretary.— The work of the secretary grows apace. He has had a particularly, arduous .year. And unless the new Arbitral

tion Act reduces the '.easel Sefore the court, ifc will be necessary to grant him some assistance in the conduct cf -trade disputes. Your executive regrets that it has been compelled so often -this year to refuse the secretary's services in important cases in other* centres.'" It was eimply impossible for him to undertake them. Conclusion.— The executive has pleasure in again acknowledging the loyalty of members and th« growing solidity of employers' unions throughout the industrial district. When employers sink their trade jealousies, as th\sy are now doing, and join hands in united action to opposa measures that are detrimental to the interests of the community, there ie every prespeefc of success being achieved. A trade organisation to-day is ea necessary as an insurance policy, and employers now recognise the fact.