FOR HARMONY

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 138, 11 June 1920, Page 7

FOR HARMONY

INDUSTRIAL PROPOSALS

PROFIT-SHARING RECOMMENDED

A CONFERENCE NOT FAVOURED!.

Alter considerable discussion in camera, a sub-committee was set up to crystallise the opinions of delegates at the special meeting of the Employers' Federation called to consider the pro-" motion of industrial peace. The subcommittee presented . the following i'«* port, which was adopted: — That this meeting, after full discus- • sion of the industrial position in Ne'.T Zealand to-day, recommends the following conclusions for consideration by employers and workers' organisations and the public generally, in the. hope that they may eventually form the basis of friendly discussion and- possible • negotiations for the promotion of industrial peace: — 1. That in view of the announced aims and intentions of prominent sections of official Labour, it is the opinion of this meeting that a national conference between representatives of Capital and! organised Labour would bo futile. 2. In order to prepare the way for the establishment of more . friendly relations and a better mutual understanding, employers are recommended to get mUt ciosor touch with their own employees by the establishment of workshop committees, meetings with employees, personal inquiry ■ into grievances, consideration of suggestions, and by such," other means as may ba deemed desirable. ' 3. That employers be recommended to encourage educational propaganda in their own establishments in connection ■with matters affecting the common in-' lerests of both employers and workers, with a view to combating the prevalence of unsound economic theories. Such' means are suggested a3 workshop committees, staff meetings, the circulation: of informative literature, short talks, discussions, etc. 4. That earnest consideration should bel given to the adoption of the system oS payment by results (either by means of piecework, premium, or bonus systems, or profit-sharing and superannuation! funds) as may be bestl applicable to each' particular business. 5. That Government should be.recommended to provide, by means of national 1 taxation, adequate provision for unemployment and invalidity insurance. 6. Encouragement and assistance to bet given by Government to workers to build and purchase their own homes. With regard to the proposals set forthl above, it will be observed that the desira cf the federation is to encourage the development of more intimate and friendly relations between employers and workers! by setting up shop committees, or by; the adoption of some of the other suggestions in clause 2. EDUCATIONAL. The federation believes that the sarnd object will be promoted, by encouraging educational work in the various establishments, and feels assured that a con-< siderable proportion of workers will welcome and a-ppreciata a movement in this direction. PROFIT-SHARING RECOMMENDED.The adoption of profit-sharing is advocated by many who desire to secure the best means of promoting industrial peace, and has to be considered in connection with any scheme having.' thati purpose- in view. It is in .operation in a number of industries in Great Britain and America; it k also being tried in/ New Zealand, and it is hoped shortly to publish particulars of some of the schemes now in operation in the Dominion. It must be quite evident that only by more production can more pay be secured and permanent purchasing power obtained. Any system adopted must, however, provide absolute protection for the employee, and this can b« best secured by the employers and workers concerned agreeing as to the basis of payment. ; ■ ■ It is believed that a system of payment by Tesults will be found applicable: to many manufacturing and other classes of businesses, and would have the result of substantially increasing the earnings of the workera without any increase n* the cost of production and without increasing tile selling price to the consumer. The adoption of any such system, however, requires the reasonable cooperation of the trades unions, which would involve a full recognition by employers of trade union organisations and! agreement by those unions to the principle of payment by results, with no limitation of output in the factories and workshops of the Dominion.••The adoption of some such system would also encourage the setting up of workshop committees, the settlement of purely local matters of difference by agreement on many points without infringing .in! any way upon any award or agreement governing the industry. JUSTICE AND FAIR DEALING. It must be apparent, however, that iti is not by the adoption of any particular, system or systems of work that industrial peace will be attained. That can only be secured by a full recognition by both employers and employees that justice and fair dealing promoted by full and free discussion between employers and their workers is the only foundation on which industrial peace can be established. ■ At the conclusion, the Chairman (Mr., A." C. Mitchell) congratulated the delegates on the results of their discussions, and expressed the hope that their efforts, directed along the lines indicated, would help to. create a better understanding between employers and the workers. Votes of thanks to the chairman, the secretary (Mr. William Pryor), and the. officials of the federation concluded tlia business.