PROTECTING EMPLOYERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2418, 5 February 1909, Page 5

PROTECTING EMPLOYERS.

THE AUCKLAND MOVE. SUP POUTED IN WELLINGTON. Inquiries made by a •‘Dominion reporter the other day show that the suggestion of the Auckland brand) of "the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, that a general fund for the protection of the interests ol employers throughout New Zealand should be established, is generally approved ibv local employers of labor. Mr W. G. Foster, president of the New Zealand Employers Federation, said that as the present law seemed powerless to prevent industrial strife iby labor movements, the employers would have to take some steps for their own protection. “What form of defence should employers adopt?” asked the reporter. In reply. .‘Mr Foster said that he was not prepared to give an answer to that question until ho had given it a great deal more consideration. If the legislators for the Dominion had in the past looked well ahead there might not have been any industrial troubles at all, be said. AY lid e a- policy tending to protect employers against am just demands on the part of labor was very desirable, too much time could not bo spent by employers in framing it. dt was Probable that representatives of the Employers’ Federation would discuss tile project upon tho return of the sectetary ,to Wellington. “It’s laibout time,' .said .Mi G. Shirtcliffe, l«te president of the Chamber of Commerce wml a cit-j councillor. “It’s the first sM step the employers have taken,, and 1 hope th'ev’M .o-o through with at. I could never understand why tho industrial associations and chambers ~ of commerce did not dp something of the sort long ago. The demands of labor are exorbitant. Why, eight or 10 vears ago the flaxnullers were delighted to get £l3 10s a ton for hemp, and now that it is £2l a ton there is little or nothing in it for them. I used to finance men in the business when it was £l3 10s, but I wouldn’t do anything of the sort while it is £-.1 a ‘ton. This is a. good move they have initiated in Auckland.