WHITLEY COUNCIL SCHEME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17275, 26 September 1919, Page 9

WHITLEY COUNCIL SCHEME.

FIRST iN AUSTRALIA. The boot trade of New South Wales has established the first industrial council in the Commonwealth based on the scheme promulgated by the Whitley Committee in .England. The matter has been under consideration by the Boot Manufacturers' Association and the New South ales branch of the Australian Boot Trade Employees' Federation since December, and the details were finally approved at a joint, conference, and afterwards unanimously approved by both organisations. it is largely an amplification of a system of conference and discussion which has been in operation in the industry for the past ten years, having been adopted in New South Wales, the other State branches of the Boot Trades Emplovees' Federation are being approached with a view to their taking similar action. The organisation brings under it auspices everyone employed in the manufacturing boot industry in New South Wales. Its objects are to advance the interests of the industry " by the association in its government of all engaged" in it. The governing body is composed of an equal number of representatives of the manufacturers and employees, elected on a full and free franchise by the members of the respective organisations, and "it is open to the council to take any action that falls within the scope of its general objects." These were set out as follows:—

(a) The consideration of means whereby all manufacturers and operatives shall be brought within their respective associations.

(b) Regular consideration of wages, piecework prices, and conditions, with a view to recommending to the Courts or Boards the establishing and maintaining equitable conditions throughout the industry. (c) The consideration and settlement of all disputes between different parties in the industry which it mav not have been possible to settle by the existing machinery, and the establishment of machinery for dealing with disputes where adequate machinery does not exist. Disputes to be immediately reported to the secretaries of both association and union. (d) The regularisatioii of production and employment as a means of ensuring to the workpeople the greatest possible security of earnings. (e) Improvement in conditions with a ( view to removing all danger to health in j the industry. j (f) Education in all its branches for the ' industry ; technical, general, probationers' ; and apprentices' examinations: encourage- ' ment to the employees to improve their I education. ! (g) Inquiries into problems of the ! industry, and, where desirable, the publii ration of .reports.