I.C. AND A. ACT

Southland Times, Issue 21854, 3 November 1932, Page 6

I.C. AND A. ACT

RECENT AMENDMENTS REDUCTION IN COSTS REPORT BY EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION (Per United Press Association) Wellington, November 2. The reduction in costs effected through amending the I.C. and A. Act, effecting either through new agreements or simply through cancelling existing awards without new agreements, was referred to in the annual report of the New Zealand Employers’ FederIt says that the amendment of the Arbitration Act was the most important event in the history of industrial relationships which had occurred for many years, either in this or any other country. It was not anticipated by responsible employers that so revolutionary a change in the methods of determining conditions of employment, including wages, could be made without difficulties being encountered. Fortunately, although there had been difficulties they were not so far very serious and it may be said that on the whole the new system was working fairly satisfactorily. The report further says: “It is quite possible that the threats of industrial strife made at the time of the coming into force of the Amendment Act had the effect of locking up capital and preventing any industrial expansion during the last few months. If agreements with some of the eager and more responsible workers’ organizations can be reached, it would go a long way to restore confidence and stimulate industrial trade activity. On the other hand an extension of the strikes which have been holding up certain industries recently, or the development of anything in the nature of a general hold up, can only increase the already heavy burden the Dominion is carrying and further postpone any improvement in trade conditions.”