WELFARE IN THE FACTORY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 254, 21 July 1920, Page 7

WELFARE IN THE FACTORY

THE NEED FOR WELL-TRAINED ORGANISERS. One of the happier -results of war experience is the extraordinarily rapid development of an industrial movement which lias now become generally known under the name of "weltaro work," saya the "Manchester Guardian." The datertnining factor in the success of this .movement lias been largely found in the work of the Industrial Welfare Society, which offers its services to all employers requiring information in connection with' schemes for the welfare of their workpeople. In tho old dajj of small tusinessea, when employers, as often as not. worked side by side with their journeymen and apprentices, there was a feeling of mutual understanding throughout tho greater part of industry which went far to promote (the happiness of all engaged in it. With industrial development, however, tho amalgamation of the smaller firms and the substitution of tho publlo Mimpuny for the old personal system of proprietorship, employer and employed have drifted gradually apart. The evil effects of this tendency towards estrangement arc not less apparent to-day ttian the necessity for a closer relationsuip.botween tho two classes Mian anything that can be represented by the m&re payment of a weekly wage. The basis of welfare work is the appointment of somo person or committee whose duty it is to act as a link between employers and employed. It la his business or the business of the committee to draw up a welfare ectiemn, and, if it is approved, to put it frito operation. 11l days when automatic processes are almost inevitably bound to increase the monotony of work it is important that a high standard of working conditions should prevail in the workshop, ami that healthy and useful interests should await tno worker at the end of tlio (lay. In practice tho schemes vary with the circumstanced of each particular firm, but it is essential that upon some responsible person in the employment of the firm there should bo placed the dutv of caring for tho well-being of the general body of the employees. It is of first importance tliat the men appointed to carry out such duties should have proper qualifications. Tho field for welfare work is a large one and offers infinite possibilities, dealing as rt does with the education, recreation, comfort, and health, and the thousand and ono human needfes not directly connected wn.h wngGS, which fl.ro h necessary adjunct of industrial activity. The Industrial Welfare Society is. prepared to submit to emplovers the names of men qualified bv past experience to fit them for such positions. In cases whero it. is desirable tho society also arranges for candidates to take recofpised courses in such subjects as economic*-, industrial history, aml factory hygiene, followed bv a period of practical work under qualified supervisors.