N.Z. INDUSTRIAL DISTURBANCES WERE NOT BAD LAST YEAR

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 September 1950, Page 4

N.Z. INDUSTRIAL DISTURBANCES WERE NOT BAD LAST YEAR

PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Last Night (PA).—"lndustrial disturbances received considerable publicity during the year under review, but collectively they were not exceptional when compared with previous years or with disputes in other countries,” says the annual report of the Department of Labour and Employment for Vhe year ended March 31, tabled in the House of Representatives today. "There were 113 stoppages during the year compared witTi 112 for the previous year. They were localised and mostly of very short duration. A number were merely unauthorised stopwork meetings of workers. “The Conciliation Commissioners brought the parties to complete agreement in 107 cases as compared with 131 in the previous year. In only one case was no agreement reached.

"Meetings of disputes committees set up under the provisions of awards numbered 33. compared with 24 the previous year.”

The report, says the Industrial Relations Act, 1949, was passed with a view to eliminating the causes of industrial unrest and improving em-ployer-employee relations. The previous legislation, while nearly always successful in settling disputes, was deficient in that it provided machinery for calling the parties together only when a dispute was actually in existence. The Industrial Relations Act provides a new approach in the provision for setting up of industrial advisory councils, comprising representatives of employers and workers; also other persons with expert or specialist knowledge. The report savs that greater Interest is being taken in healthier and safer working conditions and more amicable relations between employers and workers. "Far-seeing employers appreciate the veyy real benefits Io bo gained therefrom ” says lhe report. "Healthy and safe conditions of work and the provision of amenities for the workers' comfort and welfare improve the morale, and this in turn improves relations between thn parties. Industrial disturbances are often based on discontent. Removal of the causes of disputes is a stnp Inward (lipiinafion of stonnages and resultant loss of production.”