INDUSTRIAL YEAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16312, 30 December 1920, Page 8

INDUSTRIAL YEAR.

employers’ Activities. Many important matters have been dealt with by tlio Canterbury Employers’ Association during the 'past year, and much bus been done to protect the common interest? of employers. A number of Bills vitally affecting industry wore considered by Parliament during the last session, some being passed and others dropped after consideration. Among the latter was the Factories Act Amendment Bill, which aimed at a five days’ week. Important alterations were made in the Shops and Offices Bill, tho principal being the fixing of a fortyeight hours’ week and the extension of compulsory closing to all shops irrespective of whether labour is employed or not. Tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act was amended by extending its scope. Proviousl.y only two parties were entitled to appear in an industrial dispute, the ■employees and the employers ; now any parly concerned may be hoard by the Court when considering a dispute. The Workers’ Compensation Act was amended, largely in the direction of assessing compensation more in accord with the depreciated value of money. ‘‘ Considered as a whole,” said Air E. Cooper, secretary of tlio association, " this legislation should operate in the best interests of tho majority of those effected by it.” The bonuses awarded by the Arbitration Court under the War Regulations Act had been regularly met by the employers in all industries until ibo last one of 9s a week was announced. This had been opposed on grounds too well known to need recapitulation. “ Mature consideration of the position,” said Mr Cooper, “ will convince everybody thfit the Court’s reconsideration of the bonus and its subsequent reduction was a wise policy, as the bonus problem had reached “ a stage when, if tho payment of 9s had been insisted upon, it would have cost tho recipients _ more than ■ that to receive it.” _ Tho bonus method of endeavouring to meet the increased cost; of living was hopelessly futile. Tho association’s views on tiro matter had been ably stated by its president, Air William Goss, at the annual meeting of tho association. Mr Goss said: —“As regards tho cost of living increasing at all, it is obvious that this- must he so so long as the substance,wo live on increases in price. All wealth comes from tho ground; hence the products of the ground aro tlio basis of all wealth. Matters aro complicated in New Zealand by this being tho only exportable product. No one wants their products to bring less wealth to tho country, and yet°it is difficult to say how we can attain high prices'- for our exported products and maintain a lower price in tho country for tho same goods. It is manifest that wo can’t have it both ways, and when wo express a hope of our exports retaining I heir present value, we cannot, I take it, express any serious complaint at tho local prices, ns'at least SO per cent of a family’s food and clothing aro tho product of our own soil; and thus lho_ major part of these increases remain in the country. It would appear from this that the high cost of living on the whole should bo beneficial to the country. There arc, however, a good percentage of tho population who, not being.covered by awards, and not being m a position to recompense themselves for such increases, are practically carrying their own and others’ burdens in this connection. It is difficult to see how this can bo met or rectified. With an excess of ban): in the Dominion of nearly twenty million sterling, it would appear that there is ample material by which this could bo adjusted, probably through a process of taxation. It is not good for tho community that whilst half the population’s services are properly assessed this should bo at tho expense of the other half who aro in no way better equipped to meet same.” Mr Cooper quoted statistics which showed that fit the present time there 100,000 single men, 100,1)00 non-ex islent wives and 200,000 non-existent children boiiuKin ed for . ! i y bonusei hj while the yu.oUO married men were being forced to carry the burden of these increases in jvages, which wore largely due to the increased spending power cf the single men. Air Cooper anived at his figures regarding non-existent wives nnd‘’childron by taking tho Legislature’s statement that the bonus was intended to coyer a married man, Ins wife and two children. It could be conclusively shown, said Mr Cooper, that a bonus of any extent must bo passed on to the public. A good deal of consideration had been given by the association to various schemes aiming to secure industrial peace, but nothing very material had so far resulted. Tho most hopeful line along which progress might bo made appeared ,to be by some scheme of national superannuation winch would bo applicable to ail classes of men and women workers, and that with tins should be embodied compensation for accidents occurring not only during Rio hours of work, but at any "time. This, then, would do away with the necessity of employers’ insurance against liability fov accidents on the part of their employees, and _ mortgagees’ indemnity rover. To this scheme tho employee should subscribe a quota of his wages. Iho employer should pay at least Iho same premium for compensation that he is now paying, and tho Government should subsidise the scheme to the extent that would-be found to bo necessary to make it a sound financial proposition. This would naturally take the place of the old age pensions, and would have the added advantage of being applicable to all. except those who were financially cf too good a standing to participate. In conclusion. Mr Cooper paid a high tribute to the sendee rendered to the community by tbo Conciliation Commissioner, ‘ Air W 11. Hagger. Air Hugger, said Air Cooper, was one of the best friends the community had, as his unfailing tact and willingness at all times to"bring about conciliatory settlements of di£ putes was one of the best bulwarks of industrial peace. Air Cooper also referred to the loss sustained by the association and the community generally by the death of Air Albert Kaye, who was president of the association on several occasions.