TRADE AND LABOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2392, 6 January 1909, Page 2

TRADE AND LABOR.

PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE.

STATEMENT BY MR. MILLAR

In the opinion, of. the Minister lor Labor, the Hon. J. A. Millar, the prospects of industry and labor iortho coining year are able. Up to the latter part of the year, he remarked the other day, trade seemed to be very fair indeed, and employment was pretty constant.

“I think,” he added, “that the industrial outlook for the coming year justifies' one in believing that next year will ho equal, if not 'better, than the year that is just closing." The outlook in the country seems good as far as harvesting prospects are concerned. This, of course, will react on’ the cities by making trade fairly good.” As to labor troubles the Minister expressed the opinion that things were fairly satisfactory. There was difficulty among the miners on tile West Coast, but lie hoped that would be fixed up'. “Generally, speaking,” continued the Minister, “there seems to be a fooling of contentment among the workers, and I believe that the constant employment which they are likely to obtain will reduce the lahor trouble to a minifcmun.

As to the Arbitration Act, he said its prospects were good judging by the results of the past six: or seven months. Union after union had entered into an industrial agreement after a conference between the workers and the employers, without intervention of either Board or Court. “I •have every reason to believe,” he said, “that the spirit of conciliation is -getting stronger, and with that belief I have every hope that the new Act will meet what seems to he the growing desire to go back to the original intention of the Act, conciliation.”