MR. HOLLAND THANKS WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS FOR HELP

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 April 1950, Page 5

MR. HOLLAND THANKS WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS FOR HELP

Round Table Discussions Free From Personalities Meet With Success WELLINGTON. Last. Night (PA). —“Nothing could persuade me Io enter into lhe heated arguments which are now taking place regarding Ihr widening of the split in lhe ranks of Labour, but I cannot allow allegations by lhe secretary of the federal ion of Labour about a secret alliance between the Government and lhe Waterside Workers’ I nion to go unchallenged.” said the Prime Minister (Mr. Holland) today, addressing a (’aliens of National Party members of PaiTiamvut. “Mr. Baxter is obviously at,

some pains to divert discussion on a disaster which threatens his own organisation Io some other ground, tie cannot be blamed for 1 his. “The Minister of Labour, Mr. Sullivan, has also had conferences with the employers, where exchanges of opinion have led to better appreciation of each other problems and this, too, is all to the good. Mr. Sullivan is entitled to profound thanks of the whole community for his capable and patient handling of these discussions, and f wish, on behalf of the Government, to thank publicly those who have helped us in reaching these understandings. The public will have been quick Io notice that there has been a remarkable degree of industrial peace since the present Government took office. This is no fluke, or accident. I can say, without hesitation, that all the elements of serious industrial trouble have been present on a number of occasions, but the Government did not indulge in a campaign of personalities that, so often leads to trouble, but discussed the matter with both sides round th e table, and trouble has been avoided. I am happy to say that we have found a considerable degree of reasonableness on both sides. Naturally, strong views were held by both employers and employees, but Mr. Sullivan succeeded in not allowing those differences to develop into the kind of trouble in the past has caused such public upset and disastrous loss in wages. 'I fool that the public will want someone to say ‘thank you” to those who have contributed Io the present happy state of affairs, and I am glad Io express those thanks, and I am sure the people’s hope Is: Long may it continue. The Government win certainly do its best. “Re-establishment of the Waterfront Industry Commission has been mutually agreed upon and we are going to try and make a success of it. The watersiders have agreed to do the same. That can bo the only ‘secret treaty’ which Mr. Baxter could possibly have in mind. Let us have more ‘treaties’ of the same kind. “The Government, is under no illusion about the problems facing it. Industrial relations have been good so far since the Government took office,” said Mr. Holland, “and I wish to express my appreciation to those, including Messrs Baxter, Walsh. Barnes and Hill, and to the employers’ representatives, for helping in the promotion of industrial harmony. They have great influence in their hands, and they have used it wisely. Long may they continue to do to. -The Government will look forward to more conferences with the watersiders, with shipowners and with any other body which desires to encourage and promote happy industrial relationships for the benefit of all sections of the community.”

A comprehensive survey of the country’s finances was given by Mr. Holland, w ho was not in possession of lhe final figures of public accounts for the past, financial year, but he gave members all the details that were so far available.

The Prime Minister also explained the programme of estimated expenditure for the current financial year. He outlined the steps it was proposed to take to raise the funds required, including an internal loan, details of which have yet to be announced. A special combined committee of five Ministers and five members of the caucus was appointed to consider the Government’s policy on the acquisition of land for the settlement or both ex-servicemen and civilians. It. will also cons’der improvements in lhe method of ascertaining what undeveloped and partly developed land is available for this purpose. Discussion also took place on the need for more educational buildings to accommodate the increasing number of five-year-old children. Future of the linen flax Induswas also discussed. Consideration was given to lhe possibility of increasing the export of linen flax seed and nr utilising the very large tonnage of linen flax straw. Caucus committees met last night and they will report to the full caucus today. Legislation for the coming session of Parliament and the proposal for fhp abolition of the Legislative Council as at present constituted are items set down for consideration.