The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and The Echo. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1928. INDUSTRY AND PEACE

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 305, 26 December 1928, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and The Echo.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1928. INDUSTRY AND PEACE

For the eauee that look* ateittance, For the wrong that need* retistanoe, For tho future in the distance, And the good that we earn do.

At this season it is usual and natural fox those personally interested in industrial production to present to the public some sort of survey of the course of industrial events during the past year. A review of this kind has been attempted by Lord Ebbisham, once Lord Mayor of London and now President of the Federation of British Industries, and the conclusions that he has reached may surprise readers who have not kept in touch with recent economic developments at Home. For according to this high authority the measure of industrial progress in Britain during the past year has been distinctly disappointing. The adverse trade balance has been reduced, but though there have been no serious losses "there have not been the gains anticipated." This rather gloomy view of the economic situation is confirmed by the head of the great firm of Cammell, Laird and Company, who states that shipbuilding is depressed, that steel orders are scarce and prices low, and that nowhere can he see signs of any marked revival.

It is something of a relief to turn to another side of the picture, and curiously enough this is submitted to our attention by Mr. Ben Tillett. Once the stormy petrel of militant unionism, Mr. Tillett is now an ardent advocate of industrial peace. As secretary of the Transport Workers' Union, he speaks with authority and exercises very considerable influence over a large section of the wageearners; and though he admits the intensity of foreign competition he maintains that Britain can hold her own against the world if only Labour and Capital co-operate to apportion equitably their joint responsibilities. Mr. Tillett declares himself strongly in favour of the recent attempts to "rationalise" industry through amicable agreements between employers and workers, and he holds that this policy is "capable of working wonderful changes for the country's good and the betterment of trade."

In view of Mr. Tillett's past record, it is indeed encouraging to hear so stalwart a champion of Labour's rights admitting frankly his faith in the possibilities of industrial peace. The most inspiring event in recent years in the British industrial world is the revival of the old-fashioned belief in the possibility of friendly co-partnership between Labour and Capital. It is this conviction, confirmed to some extent by the disastrous failure of recent strikes, that underlies the decision of the Trade Union Congress to adopt the policy of amicable co-operation with the employers represented by the Melchett conferences. And it is interesting to observe that the improved relations between Capital and Labour now existing at Home are reflected on this side of the world as well. The other day Mr. P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, stated publicly that in this country at the present time "the feeling between employer and worker is all that could be desired." We agree with Mr. Hally that this amicable state of things is largely due to our Conciliation and Arbitration system. But even those who do not share this view should admit the value of his testimony, and should share his satisfaction at the many signs of mutual confidence and good feeling that he has observed of late in our own little industrial world.