INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 15 November 1937, Page 4

INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY

NO COUNTRY TO COMPARE WITH SWEDEN SYSTEM OF WAGE PAYMENT IMPRESSIONS OF MR JAMES FLETCHER |J’v Telecraph-Presß Assocluilonl AUCKLAND, This Day. After spending a month in Sweden inspecting industrial plants, including sawmills and mass production joinery factories, Mr James Fletcher, managing director of the Fletcher Construction Company, believes no country in the world can compare with Sweden for industrial efficiency. Mr Fletcher, who returned by the Aorangi, said he was greatly impressed by the Swedish system of wage payment, consisting of a minimum wage plus additional payment for each unit produced over a given standard. “The system has resulted in a high wage standard and considerable increase in production,” Mr Fletcher said, “without penalising the inefficient or inexpert workman. It has encouraged the diligent and conscientious workman to give his best, and has encouraged an extremely high standard of workmanship.” Mr Fletcher said lie had discussed this method of payment as applied to the building industry with Swedish contractors, and he was convinced that such a system could be applied to suit New Zealand conditions. Speaking generally, Mr Fletcher said it would pay the New Zealand Government to secure details of the operation of Swedish mills for the benefit of New Zealand sawmillers.