EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23232, 20 January 1941, Page 10

EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS

MINISTER WANTS SPIRIT OF GOODWILL PROMOTION OF EFFICIENCY IN FACTORIES (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM;) WELLINGTON. January 19. “I ■am glad to know that the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation at least recognises the importance of the point I raised in regard to the desirability of greater co-operation and goodwill between employers and employees,” said the Minister for Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) to-night, -ommenting on the federation’s statement on absentees from factories. “I hope they keep this consideration in the forefront of their minds and make happy human relationships the leading plank in their platform. • “It is pleasing to know that the federation has brought the matter before its executive committee, and I trust due heed will be taken of my comments by manufacturers throughout the country,” said the Minister. He was sorry that some apparently resented the inference that greater cooperation could be obtained by the institution of more human relationships between manufacturers and employee's. The federation in its statement had made it clear that its criticism was not directed t. the majority of workers but only to a section which did not accept the responsibility that employment in a modern factory imposed on it. The Minister said he had made it perfectly clear in his previous statement that those employees who absented themselves from their work were doing New Zealand a serious disservice. He also made it clear that he held no brief for a person who, without adequate reason, absented himself from his work, and he had also said and definitely adhered to the statement that a greater measure of co-operation and better understanding of human relationships had brought about better results in various instances which he quoted, and that the extension of that form of management and control to other industries would help in the solution of the problem under discussion. Study of Subject The Minister gave instances of industrialists in larger manufacturing countries spending large sums and devoting a great deal of study to the improvement of relationships between employer and employee. The federation had quoted conditions in Russia and said dire penalties were imposed on workers. “I could quote other alien countries where even worse conditions obtain,” Mr Sullivan said, “but who wants to live in those countries?” He added that all he suggested was that the manufacturers should consider the desirability of greater co-opera-tion between themselves and their em’ployees, and the institution of more human relationship. Was there anything wrong with that? He asked if not why was there any resentment? Mr Sullivan said that he had received letters from manufacturers commenting favourably on. his statement. He said further that he had never suggested that manufacturers whose stall stayed away were bad employers. He did not wish to suggest that. He was arguing for a snecial positive study and effort to achieve improved human relationships in factories, as something which a number of New Zealand firms had proved by experience would produce good results.