INDUSTRIAL PEACE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 October 1926, Page 8

INDUSTRIAL PEACE

CONFERENCE BEFORE DISPUTES (Contributed by the Now. Beaiand Wc.ffam "League-). IViere i .- in is- - p-oplo win- spe.id a great deal of time talking about schemes to prevent wars between nations ; it is equally important, in our opinion. In endeavour to prevent war between (lasses." This quotation is horn an article |,y .). Ilavclock Wilson. President of the British Seamen's Union. As an endeavour to give practical effect to the ideal this Labour leader, with several others, is seeking to establish an "Industrial Peace League" for the Empire. Many people will say "Oh, yes it is a line idea, but unattainable «l present." As reasons why it should be made attainable Mr Ilavclock Wilson presents the following: "Labour cannot do without Capital pist as Capital cannot do without Labour. Ever since Ihe end of the war we. have had nothing but disastrous strikes, every one of which has resulted in the impoverishment of the workers. Let- ns try a new dodge and foster heller understanding with the employers." Of course, people will sav, "Yes, it is very sad, what is taking place-at Home.' We settle much heller by our Arbitration system." What is somewhat lost sight'of is that the settlement of our little disputes only touches the fringe, of the huge issue of industrial peace. Our producers, business houses and work people are all being affected by the stoppages of industry .taking place outside our little dominion, A Leagu 0 of Peace for Ihe constant fostering of a. spirit of goodwill and right understandings amongst: those engaged in industry employers and employed-is highly desirable if only for the selfish reason that we would all benefit by it. A "TRUCK" The Hon. 'l'. S. Weston, President- of the New Zealand Employers' Fed era tion, has suggested a five years' industrial I nice. Frankly we dislike Ibis word, "Truce," as it' hears the suggestion thai war Is the normal condition. In 1920 we advocated the holding of a National Industrial Conference of the Employers and Workers. Instead of an elaborate programme, which would raise many points of difference, we submitted the following :—r 1. R-cview of existing methods for the settlement of industrial disputes with a view to devising improved methods which would be mutally acceptable to employers and workers. 2. Consideration of the principle of establishing industrial councils representative of employers and employed for the joint control of particular industries and Ihe best

means of establishing same where desired. 3. The best means of stabilising conditions in order to ensure the progress of our industries and mainlain a good standard of living, having a special regard to the relation of wages and prices. CONFERENCE BEPOKK DISPUTES There in etilf need for the pa'.rtioM in industry to come together. For :) brig time they have becri engaged in meeting only on matters of dispute in see tional meetings or before ihe Conciliation Council and Arbitration Court. A dispute is always the reason fop meeting. This form of conference has the drawback thai it is generally held in an atmosphere of suspicion. Simple proposals from either side are viewed by the other as containing some hidden menace. As far as the spirit engendered it is more like one of armed truce for a period than one of peace and amity between the parlies. The employe's and workers still remain disputants after Awards are made and never really reach an appreciation of their relations as partners in a joint concern, which it is to Ihe benefit of both io make successful. We still maintain that there is need for industrial conferences of employers and workers a pari from questions of dispute. Employers and employed are not merely buyers and sellers of a commodity—labour power—about which (hey must always be disputing. Winkers are consumers as well as producers. They have to buy as well as sell and on the slate of industry depends how well they can buy. Both parties have the one thing; in common, from which it is impossible to escape, that they are dependent on the success of industry for the benefits they are seeking. Conferences on industrial questions before and independent of disputes would, we believe, lead to better understandings. Whilst Ihe big idea an Empire "Industrial Pence League" is being developed why should not the Employers' Associations and Tract* Unions get closer together in industrial conference for the betterment of the industries and their own welfare?