INCREASED LABOUR COSTS

Southland Times, Issue 23310, 21 September 1937, Page 6

INCREASED LABOUR COSTS

ABILITY OF INDUSTRY TO CARRY ON (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, September 20. “I am of the opinion that it will be little short of a miracle if New Zealand industry is able to carry on successfully under the burden of the increase of labour costs and taxation imposed by the present Government,” said Mr W. E. Anderson, secretary of the Auckland Employers’ Association after his return by the Aorangi from the International Labour Conference at Geneva. He said it would be unfitting to discuss the business dealt with at the conference until he had reported to the Government and the New Zealand Employers’ Federation. The organization consisted of 62 countries, 53 being represented at the conference. There were 101 Government delegates and 97 advisers, 38 employers’ delegates and- 73 advisers and 3 workers’ delegates and 85 advisers. “I am strongly confirmed in my opinion that the most satisfactory industrial relations exist in those countries where the employers and workers concerned accept the responsibility of deciding what the conditions of employment shall be and negotiate agreements giving effect to these without the assistance of a third party as is the case in New Zealand. It is to be regretted that the Government did not give the scheme of compulsory conciliation and voluntary arbitration which was introduced in 1932 a fui-ther few years’ trial.”