Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, JANUARY 10th. 1921 IDEALS IN INDUSTRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1921, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, JANUARY 10th. 1921 IDEALS IN INDUSTRY.

Oceiii king at a time when more than ever the unrest in the industrial world lias emphasised only too clearly the vital importance ot mutual co-operation hot ween employers and employed the Congress of the Labour Co-Partnership Association, which was held in Britain last. November, and was attended by leaders of labour and industry,' comments a. commercial paper, particularly welcome. For n long time past copartnership and profit-sharing have been advocated as a means of increasing mutual confidence and of promoting a personal interest in industrial enterprise ,and there is good reason to believe that in the recognition and practical operation of these principles lies the solution of many of the difficulties that make for the present industrial unrest. To this end a resolution which was pass ed the Congress should be fruitful. The resolution declared that legislation should bo passed removing any legal obstacles to the adoption of co-partner-ship; that a special department of the Board of Trade (or in the case of agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture), or the Ministry of Labour should bo constituted to consider the practical aspect of the question in connection with industry, and that a committee of persons conversant with the trade union movement should consider how to secure hearty trade union co-operation. Speaking at the opening discussion, Lord Robert Cecil referred to the friction which characterized the working of the present industrial system, and assigned ns a reason “the fundamental misconception which we had inherited that the business of a great undertaking, which required labour as well as caudal for its successful operation, belonged to the owner.” While an essential of business may he the foundation of partnership between capital and labour yet one may well question whether the exclusive right to a certain business is altogether a “fundamental” misconception.” If a man founds a business, and by enterprise and energy brings it to success,, surely he is entitled to claim ownership! It is another matter, however, to interpret Lord Robert’s observation from the standpoint of co-partnersliip 'as the foundation for building up as well as carrying on an undertaking, or, in other words, to contend that each working unit in an undertaking should receive a share of its productive value commensurate to the nature of tho work and the financial risk involved. What is noeflod more than anything else in tho present industrial world is a strengthening of tin human element. In pleading for this,. Mr J. H. Whitley, M.P., the founder . the Whitley Councils, contended that trade organisation should not he sali fied merely with the adjustment of wages and hours of labour and lie emphasised the need of constructive co operation in anything concerned in industry. Lord Salisbury also advocated a true relationship of mutual respon j bility, and suggested that tho existing system had erred because it was a hard commercial and scientific rather than a human relationship. Another speaker Lord Emmott, pointed out that at the bottom there was real identity of interest

between capital and and therefore the change which the workers sought should be evolutionary on the basis of what was proved to be good, and not recklessly revolutionary, destroying good ancl bad together. At the closing sessions reference was made to the association’s objects in seeking to allay social unrest, and a resolution was passed urging that the principle of partnership should be considered by our railway and steamship lines and other large transport concerns so that the workers might gain a share of the profits capital and control.

In regard to the approaching visit of Chautauqua towards the end of next month, the suggestion has been made to include a visit of the lecturers to the local school where short talks with tho pupils might take place. The suggestion has been put aready to the Dii ector of tho Dominion tour at Auckland headquarters, and we understand that a reply of a favourable nature has been received. This is very satisfactory, for we believe .short addresses from the able lecturers speaking under the auspices of Chautauqua would he alike interesting and entertaining to the young folk. The matter has gone so far that the proposal has now been made that Captain T. Duirmont Upton might he asked to discharge the duty here, and the idea will be put to Captain Upton through the Director as early as possible. The young folk will bo fortunate if the matter is satisfactorily arranged, as the talk is sure to be instructive and educational. It is to be hoped the authorities will fall in with the proposal, as oral addresses by capable and interesting speakers are always impressionable on the hearers. Captain Upton is spoken of as just the man for the task and if the matter can be arranged satisfactorily Chautauqua will perform a very useful service. The public will remember the good name left behind by Chautauqua last season, and the coming season will he looked forward with every confidence. Chautauqua is an association, the objects of which* are to promote social and educational advancement in the Dominion by ' conducting meetings and entertainments by lecturers, entertainers and musical artists of ability. It 1s not established for financial oain, as all proceeds go towards promoting the objects of the association. The Hokitika season was exceedingly well patronised last year, and the good impression made then will ensure the coming season being even more successful.

The Commonwealth Year Book shows that in 1919 there was a record amount of Industrial strife. Disputes in that year numbered 400 and the estimated loss of wages is £3.492,936. Ihe Melbourne Age says that previous to 1919 the most serious loss in wages was incurred in 1917, when it amounted to £2,594,808. The biggest of the troubles in 1919 were the disputes of the miners at Broken Hill, who ceased work during the second quarter of 1919, and 10sunimer recently, and of the seamen and marine engineers. No fewer than 58 per cent, of the strikes occurred in New South Wales .the position in that State being almost wholly duo to the prevalence of disputes in connection with coal mining. The main causes of industrial disputes were “wage” questions, “working conditions,’ and stoppages of work for the purpose of protesting against the dismissal of certain employees who, in the opinion of their fellow workers, had been unfairly treated or victimised. That class of dispute is extremely common in the coal-min-ing industry. Direct negotiations between the employers and employees led to the settlement of a majority of the disputes, hut were settled by compulsory conferences or the intervention and assistance of officials under State or Commonwealth Arbitration Acts.