FAIR PLAY

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 102, 30 April 1921, Page 9

FAIR PLAY

INDUSTRIAL POSITION

A LESSON FROM QUEENSLAND

THE GENERAL PUBLIC VIEW POINT.

(ByJ.A.C.)

Having played an active part in association efforts to solve the much-dis-cussed industrial problem, I have carefully studied all 'that has been published and done by Parliamentarians, associations, leagues and individuals during the time I have been in New Zealand. Like all distant fields, New Zealand was looked upon in many parte of the Commonwealth as that happy land which was free from industrial strife, but experience convinces one that the "problem" possesses the same ugly features, and is just as acute here as it is elsewhere.

Queensland has often been, referred to by speakers and writers as the Bolshevik State of the Southern Hemisphere and quoted as the "shocking example." That Queensland is being governed by extremists and painfully suffering in consequence is only too tme, therefore it is wise to view that unfortunate State as an. "object lesson," and endeavour to profit thereby.' For very many years the Government of Queensland was in the hands' of that respectable party known as Liberal or Nationalist. As there was not any sudden alteration in the units making up the population, the natural question is, "Why did the Government pass into the hands of so-called Labour?"

Many reasons have been advanced "by partisans, but'being more or less "political," such reasons have not been convincing. It is generally an fact' that whilst the active supporters of what is commonly called Capital on the one part and Labour on the other consider themselves masters of the situation, the middle olass or general public makes Governments and decides all questions when sufficiently interested or aroused. Politicians and industrialists know such to be the case and consequently cater for the support of that middle class until they secure their objective, then legislate or administrate according to the dictation of their militant supporters. Consisting of the reasonable and industrious section of the community, the middle class is neither reactionary nor revolutionary, therefore believes in Democratic Government and constitutional methods.

The fact that in Queensland some months ago, and quite recently in New South Wales, the vote of the middle class swung over to Labour, which, flushed with victory, developed extremism, justified one in believing that the middle class concluded that they were not getting justice from the party they supported for years, and decided'to try the-alternative. That the alternative is proving oostly and disastrous to the whole community, and principally to industry, ' is very -apparent, so it behovee the moderate and fair-minded section of a community to look facts squarely in the face, shake - off apathy, and vigorously apply preventive measures. Until quite recently marine officers, clerical workers, shop assistants, ■warehouse hands, Civil servants, police, and others did not-belong to or support unions, but the callous indifference,of ai section of employers towards them, compared -with the respectful response to demands by militant unionists,' forced them to do so; therefore, to-day praotically every worker is a "unionist," whether such is called a union or (sugarcoated) by the words "guild", or "association."

Recognising such a fact, and admitting that employers are also unionists by virtue, of this association, it is seen that two powerful organisations exist which have it in their power, either in a combined or sectional way, to advance or retard the progress and welfare of the general community. In these days of big things, organised Capital and -Labouris not only beneficial but necessary. providing it is disciplined, but the charge against unionism is that through apathy one part of a section of ithe members and weakness of the executive, it fails to discipline its members, and experience has taught that the same can be said about Employers' Associations. Innumerable instances can be quoted' where industry has been paralysed by a small and unruly section, of unionists forcing an issue in defiance of the wishes of the majority on the executive, through that majority and executive being afraid to declare themselves and punishing the militant minority by expulsion or other drastic measures.

On the other hand, many disturbances have been caused by the unscrupulous action and petty meanness of some employer -who is either too influential or too insignificant to be dealt with by the Employers' Association.

Apart from the failure of both organisations to discipline their members, any or every indiscretion on the part of one or the other is seized and enlarged upon as propaganda, so tne deplorable fact remains that in place of working amicably for the general welfare, the organisations are hostile and the community suffers.

Owing to the hostility existing, the State intervenes and by arbitration and conciliation laws endeavours to improve the position, but after years of experience it is aafe to oay that all parties are agreed m pronouncing the State's efforts as a costly failure, mainly owing to charges of partisanship by the party which fails to place its members, in control and displays of weakness when one party or the other breaks or flouts the law.

Summing up the position as it presents itself to-day, it would appear as if the solution lay in the hands, of the middle class, or general public, which has no say in the majority of the disputes between militant Capital and Labour, but has to bear the bulk of" the suffering, inconvenience, and loss. It has been contended that as tho Government is elected by the people and passes industrial legislation, also sets up Courts of Conciliation, the general public is represented by the Judges of the Arbitration Court; but it is apparent such is not, and cannot be, the case. Owing to the'tyrannical methods of the extremists controlling the unions in North Queensla-nd, and the partisan manner in which the Government interpreted the Arbitration Act, combined with the reactionary attitude of some employers, the supporters of reason and justice recognised that -he time had come for action which would bring reasonable employers, employees, and the general public into closer touch with the object of compelling the Gov-ev<im:'iit, employers, and employees to show more consideration for the general welfare than sectional interests.

As it waa considered wise that the lead; iv such a movement should be by employers, it was decided to abolish what was known as the Employers' Association, consisting of the/ usual few employers who only bestir ,themselves vbon 'considered necessary, and to form a now association embracing all employers down to the one-man establishment, likewise professional men, public bodies, and individual workers upon democratic linos, and having as ite main objects justice, upholding of vital principles, and determined figbt against tho pernicious practice of unjustifiable blacklisting of individuals and institutions. Tlie association began with small'membership and a thorough recognition ot

the fact that the existing industrial position was as much due to reactionary employees as militant employees, so knew that its usefulness or success depended moTe on accomplishment than propaganda, therefore set to work accordingly. Holding the opinion that the weakness of unionism was due to its failure to discipline the unruly or unreasonable section of its members, the association decided to set an example, and ruled that the particulars of any dispute between a member and its employees had to be unreservedly placed before 1 the committee of the association for investigation, and the finding of the committee nad to be observed.

'Where the committee concluded that the employer was in the wrong, such employer was instructed to do the right thing, and failure to comply would result in expulsion from the association. On the other hand, if it was found that the omployer rwas in the right, the whole influence of the association was used to effect settlement amicably, and if such failed the'fight was taken up by the association regardless of the fact whether the employer was the-largest or smallest in the association.

Eigid observance of the above rules won the confidence of the small employer and individual worker who usually,, looks upon such associations with a hostile spirit, and the result was an association with large and varied membership, which earned the respect of the bulk of the reasonable employees as well as employers. , As was to be expected, those controlling unions abused and ridiculed the objects and work| of the association, whilst the past neglect of the reasonable worker by ■ the employer of the old school made* the average middle class worker doubt, its sincerity, but time and honest effort played its part and substantial progress was made. _ Although a non-political association, it was considered a duty to advocate a policy,, and from practical experience Government was urged to do the ■ foli lowing, i.e., i 1. Provide for the registration of employer and employee organisations and the deposit of a substantial sum ! of money to meet penalties for breaches of the law. 2. Provide for a compulsory secret ■i^dult vote by every qualified member of union or unions involved to be taken under the supervision of an Industrial Magistrate on all questions likely to disturb industrial peace, and punishment by disfranchisement of all members of the union for illegally I striking. •, 3. Making strikes or lockouts in essential industries or utility services a criminal offence, and where such occurred in defiance of the law to immediately take drastic action and also to carry on the work by calling for volunteers from the general public, and protecting them from abuse or violence by the interested parties. Needless to say, the existing. Government turned a deaf ear to 'the suggestions, and doubtless a Liberal or Nationist Government would have done the same, as the path of least resistance ie usually favoured by politicians; but at the recent elections in Queensland the suggestions were adopted among many other progressive measures by candidates of the newly-formed. Country Party, and proof of the contention that the reasonable worker does not believe in extremism lies in the\fact that Townsville, the hotbed of militant unionism,, returned the Country Party member, and the elections as a whole resulted in a majority of votes against extremism.

The association , formed does not in any way claim to have solved the problem, but experience encourages supporters in the belief that it is working on the right lines, with prospects of complete success if only the middle class, or whatever name one chooses to give the majority making up the rea- < sonable people, would shake off apathy and assist to protect their interests.

The work which has impressed me mostly in New Zealand is that of your Welfare League, as its bold advocacy of:—(1) Publicity in all conferences, between employer and employee organisations, with the public represented; (2) placing of known facts, of any conference or dispute before the public with an unbiased opinion thereon; (3) calling attention to weakness ofGovernment in failing to do its duty when principle, liberty, and justice are at stake; (4)' general educational propaganda. This is wprk. on the right lines, so before it is tog late the people who form the reasonable ■ majority of the community should take note of the president's recent remarks about apathy and the achievements of a militant minority, and give active assistance to the' movement.

In any State where the rights of the community are considered • of first importance no strike or lockout in essential industries or utility services should be permitted, as directly the disputants adopt an unreasonable attitude and the Court of 'Conciliation fails to effect a' settlement, the Government should take the work out of the hands of the disputants and call for volunteers from the reasonable section of the workers and _ general community to keep it going with protection from molestation by interested parties. '

No strike or lockout can be successful without the support of the general public, and directly the disputants know that the public will play its own hand ito prevent general loss and Buffering,\ there will not be as much trouble as has been witnessed to date.

As employers by virtue of better education and 'wider experience should possess more reason than the average employee, it is - necessary for them to demonstrate that the sins and omissions of the past have gone for ever and that henceforth the just dues of the reasonable worker will be acknowledged and paid before demanded.