FUTURE OF INDUSTRY

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1931, Page 5

FUTURE OF INDUSTRY

OPTIMISTIC VIEW URGED. PRICES AND UNEMPLOYMENT. ‘ A plea to employers to look forward to the future with optimism and to anticipate confidently an early improvement in conditions in New Zealand, in spite of the present industrial and economic depression and increased taxation, is made in the annual report of the Auckland Provincial Employers’ Association.

The report states that the committee regretted the economic condition of the Dominion had received a serious setback during the past year owing to the fall in the export values of her primary products. While the large reduction in food prices was entirely satisfactory from the wage-earner’s point of view, the primary producer could not be expected to look at it with the same equanimity. A very large proportion of the fall was in the price of farm products, caused by the low export values being reflected on the local market. The decline in that particular item was therefore . nob altogether a matter for gratification. The association wished again to urge . all employers to pass on the benefits gained by the 10 per cent, cut in wages, so that a substantial fall in the cost of living could result. It was to be regretted that unemployment was still rife on a large scale, and that the powers that be had not been able to find, or even suggest, a permanent cure. The one bright spot in regard to the systems of relief adopted had been the avoidance of a “dole." Unemployment was not peculiar to New Zealand, and its permanent cure would seem to demand a plan world-wide in its application. As was predicted by the association, the Unemployment Bill had proved impracticable and inadequate, and the executive was watching the trial of the new Act. .The year had been free from industrial upheavals of any consequence, partly due, no doubt, to the large amount oi unemployment making the . time inopportune for the labour unions to attempt any drastic action, continues the report. Twelve industrial disputes were handled during the year. The decrease over last year could no doubt be accounted for by the unions considering it better to “leave well alone,” as, during the present depression, they were more likely to lose than gain by forcing employers into disputes regarding wages and conditions.