GREATER EFFORT

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 142, 20 June 1927, Page 4

GREATER EFFORT

LABOUR AND CAPITAL ALLIANCE NEED FOR MORE PRODUCTION ■ The Welfare League writes:— We can imagine how certain Socialists and Communists will scorn the suggestions of closer co-operation between Capital and Labour and increased production. No "class collaboration" but war is the Communist slogan. Greater production they view as oxtended slavery. Sane men and women, however, viewing the temporary depressions in England and in New Zealand also take a different view of the matter. 'An English writer in a recent valuable little book,' entitled "Capital and Labour Alliance," speaks thus:— I believe that if every employers' organisation and trade union, and each individual employer and worker, would strive to co-operate to reduce costs by greater efficiency, a marvellous change would occur and this country would soon solve some of her gravest industrial problems. Oh! yes, wo will be told, "that ia the capitalist idea." It is an idea that other than capitalists have recently pronounced. The Prime, Minister, Mr. Coates, has urged very strongly that what is wanted above everything else at the present time is greater effort on the part of. our people as a whole to increase prol duction and relieve the country from its financial troubles. Other Ministers, of the Crown and public /men have followed in the same strain. Certainly, we have seen no statement on the subject from those who are gaid to represent Labour in the "Dominion. BRITISH LABOURITES' OPINIONS. Here are some opinions expressed by British Labour leaders. Mr. J. R. Clynes:— There are workmen who think, thatif they do less there will be more for others to do. Against that view ."■ stand results and experience -which are the real teats. .. . . It is only fair that workers should have safeguards against more unemployment, and it is both just: and wise that they, as well as the others participating in industry, should reap pro- ■ : portionate :'benefits from increased production. It is only right to have these safeguard*, but I ■'■■do; not hesitate to go further and say that even without safeguards it ie more to 'the interest! of workmen : than of any •class to increase production. Mr. Philip Snowden:— i He wouia like to see trade union policy changed, so that the unions woqld not be merely eoncorned, regardless of the conditions of industry . to get the highest possible wage they: could screw out of the industry, but would help to make industry thoroughly eraeieiit, so that the meanß would ■ba there out of which the highest wages could be paid. Mr. W. in his book ' * TJnemHigher standards of living must ever be associated with higher stand- ' ards of production. It is aifflcult to persuade the unemployed that improvement in his position mayo best be secured if those in employment increase their efforts. If men continue to hold the view that production according to capacity is ecoj nomically and morally 'wrong; disaster seems certain. " '■■■'„■ Mr. C. W. Bpwerman:— The point on.which we must concentrate is increased output and continued production. Mr. G. N. Barnes, in the "Daily' News":—.. \ ..-■;•"•■'■ ' . , .',, Labour ..must make up its mind to seek improved conditions of life, in greater production of goods, and should also agree to each industry! standing on its own leg*. As a contrast to the above opinions we have the following from S. O. Davie», executive member of the Miners Federation of Oreat Britain, in "The Worker" (Uth March, 1927):— The only rational antidote to the continued war,by the employers is ceaseless war. by the workers—war on tho pitbanks, war along tho underground . roadways, war at the coalface, aye, war on output, and war on intensification effort. This is the;only language, when courageously applied, that the employem w|U appreciate "Conciliation" boards these days merely atage the ironical and the ludicrous. AN AMERICAN'B STATEMENT. Mr. Green,, the, president of tho American. Federation of Labour, has recently made a. pronouncement on industrial affairs in which, speaking for his federation, he says:"lt welcomes the increase iv new machinery; haying greater production, and it is.unablo to trace unemployment through such introduction." Again ho says: "The federation is not antagonistic to capital and the employers, but is anxious always to co-operate with them, tho aim being industrial peace." In this. statement Mr. Green is. but repeating what tho previous president, the late Samuel Gampers, had declared many times over, that his federation stood for peace in Udustry, increased output, lower costs,,and higher wages. The two views of industrialism, which are in contrast all; the time, are the Communist or extreme Socialist, and the same industrialist (both: trades union and employer). It is war versus peace. ') Conflict versus co-opera-tion. "Go slow" versus increased output. Forced division versus mutual; advancement. .;■. .There are employers as well as wageearners who cling to the class idea. ' To make progress we must think' more of the community, the nation, and humanity. . That is the right opinion endorsed by the best minds'in the ranks of both labour and- capital. Let; us: seek at all times the -points' of agreement those fit conflict are "but too easy to find and are ■■useless 'when we have found theiri. ' ■ ' -. :