EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18778, 28 October 1932, Page 3

EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. WAGES & WORKING CONDITIONS. AUCKLAND, Friday. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Provincial Employers’ Association yesterday, the president, Mr. A. Spencer, said that the system of wage Axing by Arbitration Court awards had proved inadequate to meet the rapid change in conditions brought about by the practical collapse of prices ro- , ceived from primary products, and the 1 consequent reduction in the earning 'power of labour. Notwithstanding the action of the Government and the Arbitration Court in declaring a 10 per cent, reduction to all awards, this was not sutllcient to stop the alarming increase of unemployment, and it was evident the only hope to stem the tide was for employers and workers to get together and come to some mutual understanding regarding wages and working conditions. Workers would have to realise tiiat those who paid the wages must necessarily decide what amount of wages the industry could afford to pay, and also whom they would or would not employ. The members of the executive committee, numbering 28, were re-elected. Messrs. J. F. Buddie and Son were re-elected auditors. The following remit was approved to be sent forward for discussion at the Employers’ Federation Conference in Wellington next week:—“That the federation take steps to obtain an authoritative pronouncement in regard to a new basic wage, either by referring to a representative dispute to the Arbitration Court or other means."