INDUSTRIAL PEACE

Southland Times, Issue 20448, 28 March 1928, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL PEACE

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OPENED AT WELLINGTON Public permitted to attend (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, March 27. The National Industrial Conference opened to-day, the Right Hon. J. G. Coates presiding. He said the decisions would have a far-reaching effect upon the welfare of New Zealand. The occasion offered an unique opportunity of pointing the way to industrial peace and progress. Care must be taken to see justice was done both to capital and labour. He trusted the country would greatly benefit by the decisions of the conference. The following delegates were present:— Employees’ representatives, Wellington, A. Cook, P. Cornwell, A. Black, J. Churchhouse, W. Nash, J. Roberts, W. Bromley, J. Tucker, R. Semple, E. Kennedy, and A. Parlane; Auckland, O. Mcßrine, T. Bloodworth, J. Pursell, J. P. Johns, R. Martin; Christchurch, H. Worrall, H. C. Revell, R. Cooke, R. A. Brooks, C. Baldwin; Dunedin, W. Herbert, J. Robinson; Invercargill, T. O’Byrne; New Plymouth, R. Fulton. Employers’ representatives, Employers’ Federation, the Hon. T. S. Weston, W. G. Smith, T. O. Bishop, H. Mainland, A. G. Henderson (Christchurch) ; Farmers' Union, W. J. Polson, R. S. Chadwick, F. Colbeck, W. L. Mulholland, J. Carr; Sheep farmers, H. D. Acland, R. M. Morton, J. S. Jessep, C. H. Williams, W. G. Skerrett and W. N. Nicholson; Dairy farmers, A. Morton, J. J. Brechin, H. H. Stirling, J. Fisher and Middleton. Other interests, Chambers of Commerce, D. J. McGowan, H. S. E. Turner; Manufacturers’ Association, F. Campbell, George Finn and W. H. P. Barber; Econonmists, Professors Murphy (Wellington), Belshaw (Auckland), Tocker (Christchurch) and Fisher (Dunedin) ; Associated Banks, G. W. Mclntosh; Parliamentary Committee, Sir John P. Luke, R. McKeen, H. E. Holland, P. Fraser, M, J. Savage, J. A. Nash, F. Waite, G. W. Forbes and E. A. Ransom; manager of the conference, the Hon. J. Barr. Official heads of the Government Departments were also present. A discussion on the chairmanship followed the nominations of the Hon. J. Barr. Mr Roberts said that the employees had not considered the possibility of anyone in active Parliamentary life acting as chairman. < The Prime Minister mentioned the practice of an alternate chairman daily which however Mr Roberts and the conference generally did not favour. Mr. Roberts suggested that three men from each side should select the chairman and eventually the question was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs Nash, Semple, Bromley, Polson, Acland and Brochin. It was decided that the proceedings be open to the Press and to the public on production of tickets limited by the space available. The only committee appointed was the Business Committee consisting of Messrs Stirling, Williams and Bishop and Messrs Glover, Mcßrien and Roberts. An address was delivered by Professor Murphy on the arbitration system and a paper was read on behalf of the Labour delegation. The conference adjourned at 3.40 p.m. until 10 a.m. to-morrow. ' The first business before the conference to-morrow will be the consideration of the report of the committee appointed to recommend a chairman Once a chairman has been appointed the conference can go ahead with the setting up of group committees. A number of papers may be read also.