Rit
two opposing camps. There should be the minimum of
judicial and governmental interference with the relations
between employer and employed; and industrial disputes
should be settled by way of -discussion and frank interchange
of views between the parties concerned. (Paras. 61 to 66.)
(22) The system of fixing wages by reference to a basic
money wage which rises and falls with a varying index figure
of the cost of living is open to the gravest criticism as giving
no interest to the workers in the reduction of the cost of
living. (Para. 67.)
(23) We hope for the best results from the Industrial Con-
ference which has been begun in Melbourne ; and we look
forward to suggestions from that body for the solution of the
problem of fixing wages and settling the conditions of em-
ployment. The solution of the closely related problem of
tariff revision should thereby be greatly facilitated. (Paras
BS and 69)
PART IV.
SUPPLEMENTARY MEMORANDA AND CONCLUSIONS.
71. We need scarcely refer to the magnitude of our task. It is
self-evident from our terms of reference, and has been enhanced,
though pleasantly, by the extensive programme arranged for us.
Short as our time has been in Australia, we have been shown so
much, and have gathered so much information, that the very
extent of the field covered has somewhat embarrassed us in the
compilation of our report. Had we had more time to devote
to its preparation we should no doubt have amplified it, though
we do not think that we should have amended it in any material
particular. We have to go back to England by different routes,
and on our return there must inevitably be greatly occupied with
our personal affairs and businesses, so that we have had to make
a choice between an immediate, shorter, and less complete report,
and a longer document prepared at some future time. We have
decided that we should best fulfil our task by presenting now a
report containing our views on what appear to us to be main
issues, together with supplementary memoranda on the subjects
of —
A. Transport.
B. Taxation.
C. Banking.
D. The Development and Migration Commission, the Council
for Scientific and Tndustrial Research. and Economic
Research