Employer-Employee Relationship

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 47, 28 May 1947, Page 5

Employer-Employee Relationship

In reluming thanks for li election as president of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry. ;ii the annual meeting of members lust week, Mr. X. '!". tiiliespie ro- ,.•]—•.! !o the relationship between ■rap'.oyers. and employees and Hie ;,<•;)! need nf tile si l*engt helling el' He- spirit id service. "Though many matters of iin pnrtance ami many o! siniplieit> wi»l come before your executive for the next twelve months," said Mr. (11l •espie, "they must, at all line's, centre their mind:-., theii deliberation.*, tiioir thoughts, as an underlying and >ver-present motif, upon the ncee:*-,-iiy of calm relationships between ■mployer and employee, an ■intercommunication so smooth and so perfect that industry's overwhelming wonies will be to that extent relieved.

Industry's Worries ••What then may we analyse as paramount among industry's worries today.' Shortage of materials.' I hink not. Lack of factory space? ! i ln'nk not. Price fixation.' 1 thin'"* not. increasing wages' I think not. No. ii is. I believe (irmly, the ,ani:>stic absence of the spirit of -.ervice ' the desire to serve, to work. in achieve, to attain, to say. broadly, i have but It a thing 1 have done a i,mu of service to my fellow-being:*. i 1 have none it without cavil, without :omplnlni, without raising petti- ; fogging and futile details. ! have taken the larger view and I have been satisfied to know that I have •riven honest work for real wages.' •*!l is unfortunate that the tendency of our age. which draws manufacturing into immense establishments requiring tlie- work of hundreds of men, renders it impossible fcr employers n> obtain tlia! intimate acquqaintanee with employes which, under the older systems, in small establishments, made the relationship of employer and employee so much more pleasant to both. Then, the employer had opportunities io know his men. to become acquainted wiilt them, to know their merits as men and workmen: and more important, and conversely, the workman. being brought into closer contact with his employer, knew more of his business, his cares, and his troubles. Ids efforts to succeed, and he came to know something of the character of the man. himself. That, unfortunately, is changed, but it does not assist us one iota to think hack to the days that have been. Scaremongers' Activity

"Ve are faced today with many unfortunate (dements in our industrial midst, and worst among them is the scaremonger- the man who is

trading on Hie shortage of labour and Hi- power of labour, and who

NEED IN INDUSTRY- -SPIRIT OF SERVICE

thereby is enabled veiy easily today to make his voir.- heard annum- men who otherwise. I am convinced, from lheir past efforts, know and appreciate ; ie- value oi sen ice. ••'lter.- cm In ;:«. doubt Mi:H the interest?,. ■•! capital and labour are <m . He is nti enemj til labour who seeks I" airnv labour uguiu.-M capital, and lie is an riii'im Hi capital who seeks in jora> capita) against Inborn*. "I do not want it to be thought leat the employee alone is to he blamed for our present world situation. I say. categorically, that there are employers, and many of them, who have unfortunately assisted in bringing about our present conditions,

The Basic Remedy " - 1 fee] i ha: ihe basic n inedy for the ' vils oi industrialism as we know itheni today lies in making business a profession. That is, in realising n act, as well a., in thought, that a business has no right to make a profit except as ii serves a community. Tin motive with which the employer conducts his business and with which the employee works, will, i.i the last analysis, determine whether there is to be industrial war or industrial peace, and it is the solemn duty of every individual, e\ery combination of individuals, he tle-y employers or employee.;, to assist in bringing about conditions which will !>•• .it mutual benetit to ail. ""There is. however, a spirit abroad, ii' it can only he captured, which i- slowly and imperceptibly tciid'tig to make the relationship of employer and employee mote harmonious, enabling .ill to lake a more enlightened view of that relationship. Agitators, frequently inllueiKM d by motives of per.MH.al gain, regardless of the public good, and therefore I lie public service. and thinking only of their own individutil ttain. may bring about temporary itff.order. but I lirmly believe thai if employers in the treatment of their employees, and employees in the 11 eat men I ol I heir employers, are go*. - rued by the spirit of service, by honourable, intelligent, and liberal policies, tnere v il be no considerable danger ol the disregard of law or >f interference with the proper progress of human enterprise. Service is the supreme commitment of life."