GERMAN INDUSTRIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1711, 30 December 1919, Page 5

GERMAN INDUSTRIES.

CONTROLLED BY SEMISOVIETISM.

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association, ' LONDON, Dec 26. Mr Peacock (the Sydney Sun’s special commissioner),■ writing-' from Berlin, * says that the, system of semi-Soyietism wlpch is operating in connection with German industries looks like becoming, permanent. It is called Botnobsracte. Every workshop has a bank and insurance company in cornlunation with the enterprise, i and has an elective workmen’s council, with the right of consultation in general management, in regard to undertaking dismissals; sanitation, hours, and social questions. The workmen s councils do not deal with the sales or finance, whilst the wages arc left to collec-. live ■ bargaining between employers and trades unions. “I discussed the v system with many big manufacturers, who oppose its threatened extension to complete socialisation, but agree that it is the right of the workers to have a voice in workshop affairs, and admit the value of the councils. Much closer sympathy and goodwill exists between employers and" labour in Germany than in Britain, hence the system lias been received more favourably than might have been expected. The Ministry of Labour informs mo that the Bill which shortly will be introduced, and which will become law, is the result of discussions between the most able industrialists and financiers, ft gives the committees force of law. In every undertaking employing more than twenty workers, the employers must consider the committee’s advice on the general administraiton of workshops and finance. In smaller undertakings the shop steward has the committee’s rights. In joint stock companies the workers’ delegates sit on th" directorate. Tliev cannot give orders, but they must attend the councils’ district councils, sending delegates to the Central Empire Council, composed half of employers and half of employees, and with largo powers to settle disputes and govern economic and social questions. Solicitors, dentists and artists’ undertakings are included. One of the groat objects is to keep the industrial committees free of political activities.