SEEKING PEACE IN NATIONAL INDUSTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20107, 28 March 1928, Page 7

SEEKING PEACE IN NATIONAL INDUSTRY

REPRESENTATIVE CONFERENCE ASSEMBLES IN WELLINGTON

CONFLICTING INTERESTS TO STRIVE FOR GENERAL WELFARE

[ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, March 27. The, National Industrial Conference opened this morning. In his opening address the, Rt. Hon. J G. Coates spoke of the vital importance and character of the deliberations, and said that their decisions should have a far-reaching effect upon the welfare of New Zealand. If their work was successful it might lead to incalculable benefit to the people of New Zealand, and he was sure therefore that every one present would give of his best. Surely the occasion offered a unique opportunity of pointing the way to industrial peace progress. “The Government,” said Mr Coates, “in calling this conference have made an honest attempt to bring together what are apparently conflicting interests, in the hope that by meeting face to face and thrashing out their difficulties they may succeed in bringing peace and goodwill to the industries of New Zealand. For several years past there has been considerable criticism of the functioning of the industrial laws of New Zealand, and this criticism has been especially marked in the primary industries. Primary Development. Few will disagree with me when I say that the prosperity of New Zealand for many years must be dependent upon the output of our industries? Our secondary industries, though of vast importance, must in the meantime take second place to O’-.” primary development, and one of our principal problems

at the moment is the fact that while the primary industries are dependent almost entirely upon woild prices their cost are to some extent fixed without reference to this fact. The fact that the surplus products of the farm are sold abroad and are subject to worldwide competition must be recognised, and the conference should direct its attention. particularly to devising some means by which the primary industries can be fostered, having due regard to the country as a whole. “This conference may be looked upon as a national stocktaking of our industrial relations, providing an opportunity for looking facts in the face and discussing them. This assembly may rightly be termed an industrial peace conference, which should aim at evolving the best methods of team work to increase the prosperity of all. It should examine our position as a community. General discussion, should clear away misunderstandings and should help to smooth out difficulties.” Interests Interwoven.

The interests of different sections of industry in New Zealand, he continued, were various, and yet, paradoxical as it might seem, in the ultimate result they wore so bound together that they were practically identical. In our national business we must take into consideration the interest of three parties all of whom had their rights and duties. There were the shareholders, the general public; there was the management; and there was labour, and these three were inseparably bound together in both private and public enterprise. It was essential if the best results were to be obtained that there should be complete understanding and confidence between all concerned and what the conference was asked to consider was whether and how it was possible to implement this axiom in the national sense. It was clear that while industrial unrest and disturbances occurred, they affected not only individual enterprise, but the national interests as well. Every stoppage in industry affected all. In these days of competition it was vitally important that every citizen should understand these facts, and that every possible step should be taken to avoid, national loss. In a modern democracy such as ours, where government by the people was carried to its furthest extent, there were bound to arise from time to time difficulties in the reconciliation of what appeared to be conflcting interests, and it would be the task of the conference to endeavour to reconcile these apparent conflicts, and to place the widest interests above individual interests. They would necessarily be obliged to consider also the interests of Capital and no less the interests of Labour. Capital was of little use by itself and Labour without well-directed effort was largely wasted. In modern society their problem was to find the correct balance, and care must be taken to see that justice was done both to Capital and to Labour. “Get Together Conference.” “Any fictitious position not justified by economic facts must ultimately prove to the disadvantage of all,” said Mr Coates. “Now I hope, gentlemen, that you will really look upon this conference as a “get-together conference,” that every member will approach his highly important labours in the spirit of service for the general good, setting aside all personal, political, and a party interests and discussing

each aspect from the one viewpoint alone, the good of the whole connnunity. ’ ’ The following delegates were pre-f-ent: Employees’ representatives. Messrs A. Cook, P. Cornwell, A. Black, J, Churchouse, W. Nash, J. Roberts, W. Bromley, J. Tucker, R. Semple, E. Kennedy and A. Parlinc (Wellington), Messrs 0. Mcßrinc, T. Bloodworth, J. Purtell, J. P. Johns, B. Martin (Auckland), Messrs H. Worral, H. C. Revell, F. R. Cooke, R. A. Brooks and C. Baldwin (Christchurch), Messrs W. Herbert and J. Robinson (Dunedin), Mr T. Obryne (Invercargill), and Mr B. Fulton (New Plymouth); employers’ representatives employers federation: — Hon. Weston, and Messrs W. G. Smith, T. O. Bishop, H. Mainland, A. G. Henderson (Christchurch); Farmers Union: —Messrs W. J. Polson, R. S. Chadwick, F. Colbeek, W. W. Mulholland aud J. Carr; Sheep Farmers: —Messrs H. D. Acland, R. AL Morten, J. S. Jessop, C. H. Williams, AV. G. Slierratt, and W. N. Nicholson; Dairy Farmers: —Messrs A. Morton, J. G. Brechin, H. H. Sterling, J. Fisher and Middleton. Other interests were: —Chambers of Commerce, Messrs D. J. McGowan, H. S. E. Turner; Manufactures Associations, Alessrs F. Campbell, George Finn, and W. H. P. Barber; economists Professors Murphy (Wellington), Belshaw (Auckland), Tocker (Christchurch) and Fisher (Dunedin); Associated Banks, Mr G. W. Mclntosh; Parliamentary Committee, Sir John Luke and Messrs R. McKeon, H. E. Holland, P. Fraser, Al. J. Savage, J. A. Nash, F. Waite, G. AV. Forbes and E. A. Ransom; Manager of Conference, the Hon. John Barr. Official heads of Government departments were also present. A discussion on the chairmanship followed the nomination of the Hon. John Barr. Mr Roberts said the employees had not considered the possibility of anyone in active Parliamentary life acting a chairman.

The Prime Minister mentioned the practice of alternate chairman daily, which, however, Mr Roberts and the conference generally did not favour. Air Roberts suggested that three men from each side should select a chairman and eventually the question was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs Nash. Semple, Bromley, Polson, Ackland and Brechin.

It was decided that proceedings be open to the Press and the public on the production of tickets limited by space available. Business Opened. The only committee appointed to-day was the Business Committee consisting of Alessrs Stirling, Williams, Bishop, Glover, Mcßrinc and Roberts. An address was delivered by Professor Alurphy on the Arbitration. System, and a paper was read on behalf of the Labour Delegation. The conference adjourned at 3.30 p.m. until 11 to-morrow, when the first business to be dealt with will be the consideration of the report of committee appointed to recommend a chairman. Once the chairman is appointed the conference can go ahead with the setting up of group committees. A number of papers may be read also.