VALUE OF COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 365, 5 March 1932, Page 13

VALUE OF COURT.

Employers Opposed to Abolition. REVISION DEEMED NECESSARY. (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, March 5. Employers of labour who were asked to comment on the Arbitration Amendment Bill, so far as its provisions are known, were unanimous in saying that the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act needs amendment, but all were opposed to anything that was tantamount to the abolition of the Arbitration Court. “ The Court has become part and parcel of our national life,” said one prominent employer of labour. “ and I think, despite the abnormal conditions, it is advisable to retain it. There are many anomalies, of course, and revision is necessary, but this must not be carried out haphazardly. What is required is the abolition of restrictions that hamper industry. It is a question not so much of wages, but of conditions of employment. During the last ten years conditions have been allowed to creep into awards that have been most trying to employers of labour, but the whole system should not be condemned on that account. The fact that a judge presides over the Court is a guarantee of its impartiality. Minimum Wage. “ If the Government decides that the Court must in effect become a dead letter then it will be necessary to fix a minimum wage, in order to provide against sweating, but in my opinion the only tribunal to fix the wage is the Arbitration Court. I notice that in the forecast of the contemplated legislation it is stated that the apprentices question is dealt with. This important phase of our industrial life should not be shelved but should be ‘tackled at once. The boys leaving school are receiving no training, and that is bad for them and for the community.

“ I also notice that power may be taken to abolish awards by Order-in-Council. It is to be regretted that legislation by Order-in-Council is increasing, instead of being curtailed. In abnormal times it is necessary that the Government should have wide powers to deal with emergency conditions, but it must be apparent to everybody that during the last few months this power has been used indiscriminately. It needs much more careful handling.” Harassing Restrictions.

The view of Mr Albert Spencer, president of the Auckland Provincial Employers’ Association, as expressed on a previous occasion, is that it

would be unwise to abolish the Court, but he advocates the removal of harassing restrictions which militate against the employment of labour. Thousands ,more men would be employed, he said, if anomalies were removed. / Tliere were restrictions in reference to hours of work, rates of pay, and overtime which retarded the progress of industry.' More elasticity in working was needed. He had known industries to cilose down because of restrictions in The result was that goods that should be manufactured in New Zealand were being imported. The Cofrrt had becopie obsolete, and should be' so constituted that the changing conditions through which the country was passing would have full recognition.