MOST REACTIONARY.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19458, 24 December 1934, Page 9

MOST REACTIONARY.

AMERICAN EMPLOYERS. LESSON PROM NE'YV ZEALAND. “ America is very backward in respect oC labour unions, and in this 1 and oilier tilings we can learn a lot, , from Australia and New Zealand.’ j said Mr 11. Stuyvelaar, an American i business man who is at present tour- ! ing New Zealand after a business trip i to Australia, in an interview with the Christchurch Press. Mr Stuyvelaar, who represents a shipping firm, visited Australia to Investigate tiro possibilities of establishng shipping agencies there, but in addition lie is greatly interested in social and political conditions both In the Commonwealth and in New Zealand. He is collecting material for a number of articles which lie lias arranged to contribute to the New York Nation magazine. | "Trades unions and arbitration boards arc recognised 1»y statute In New Zealand ami Australia,” said Mr Sluyvelaar, "and though President Roosevelt in the National Industrial i Recovery Ael has tried to itnii'ce j American employers lo consent to ! Mils, it lias not been a great success. Collective bargaining by employees is still being fought, by American employers. whose altitude is must reactionary ’’

Not Far Enough. “'Personally, though of course in America my view would be thought radical, I think that the National Recovery Administration lias not gone far enough," said 'Mr Stuyvelaar. “ In 1933 the country was in a state of economic collapse. Rig business and finance were thoroughly scared, and were willing to accept anything. There is no question that the National InI dustrial Recovery Act put businesses i hack on their feet again, and they no ! sooner felt themselves secure than ‘ they began lo put obstructions in the j way. However, the result of the last ' election is a clear indication that the ! people wish the president to go j through with the recovery proI gramme.” I 'Mr Stuyvelaar considers that the I programme lias been retarded, cspeciI ally in the successful managing of relations between employers and enij ployoes, by a lack of determination on j President Roosevelt’s part and his l unwillingness to give immediate effect ! to evorv clause in tlie Recovery Act. I Article 7a of the Ael, lie said, was | supposed to give employees the right ! to bargain collectively through repro- ’ sentalives of their own choosing amt without restraint or interference trom the employers. 'But the large business interests were ill raid that H ||S would strengthen the Labour movement, and President Roosevelt had shown himself to be rattier vacillating in meeting their opposition. The employers had agreed lo the formation of " company unions." hill had proposed that these should hold their meetings on the employers’ premises,

and should include a representative of I the employers on their executive | hoards. Unemployment Insurance. “ Another measure which the President is considering is one providing lor unemployment insurance,” said Mr Sluyvclaar, “ and 1 think that this will meet with a lot of opposition. But the President can now get Congress and the Senate to approve anything i 1 that he wants.” I Mr Sluyvclaar added that the Com- ' 1 munist party in America, though it 1 1 was small and often antagonised ■ people by its methods, exerted a tremendous influence and by its methods had practically driven the Federal Government lo undertake relief measures. Mr Sluyvclaar was anxious to know what was the opinion in New Zealand of the new administration in America and of the changes which had been made. He said that America was ccr--1 tainly relinquishing the policy of entire self-sulllcicney and was considering more seriously her economic relations with the rest of the world. “ q'he American now lakes a great deal more interest' In foreign allairs, lie said, "and I here is a spirit of wanting |o eo-operale more closely with lie, oil Itrilain in preserving the peace of Hie world. But 1 do not believe lluil |lie American people will ever enter into another war beyond their own borders. Ibe war debts, of course, ore still * slicking in ilieii craw.' and they slid think that payment should he made. Hioi'gli if you ask them how it can be done they are silent. ”

(The Youth Movement.! Asked about the American Youth Movement 'for Recovery and Peace, which was the subject of several addresses in Christchurch this year by Mr Robert K. Burns, a debater from Washington University, Mr 'Stuyvelaar said that the movement was very strong. It was chiefly sponsored by the youth and the women of the country, in favour of peace, and mani- ! fested itself in the high and j colleges throughout the country. Massed meetings were held on Arinisi tice Day, not to commemorate the war hut to light lor peace. It was considered to he a very healthy movement.