CO-PARTNERSHIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15808, 5 July 1913, Page 4

CO-PARTNERSHIP.

A MASS OF INFORMATION,

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 4. There was presented to the House of Representatives to-day a tremendous mass of information bearing upon the subject of co-paftnerehip. • This was procured chiefly from England at a cost of no little trouble, and it will now be available for members of the House who desire to study this method of solving labour problems.

This information was collected at tho request of Mr T. M. Wilford, who on July 2, 1912, moved that it be an instruction to the Government to at once obtain for this House full information and statistics in reference to the profit-sharing and co-partnership operations of the 30 gas companies in Great Britain and to turnish to the House at once any information it may be in a position to giv« in relation to the same, and especially the statistics produced by Sir George Livesey in relation to Earl Grev's suggestions relative to profit-sharing and co-partnership. The collection of these papers, affords a good indication of the trouble taken to satisfy members' thirst for knowledge. The task was undertaken by the Department of International Affairs, .and the Under-secretary, in forwarding the papers collected, reported that 32 tympanies had been written to for their publications and rocoi'ds, Only four of the companies.made no response, and the others forwarded every possible particular, ranging from reports and balance (sheets to copies of agreements and historic pamphlets of the growth of different institutions. As many as 10 or 12 documents were forwarded by somo companies, and the wholo make a solid pile of about sin in depth of footsca.p size. Some of the most valuable records came from the South Metropolitan Gas Company, London, vhero the system of co-pqrtnership Jias teen in vogue for over 12 years.

When the papers were presented to-day Mr Wilford said lie desired to precipitate a discussion of tihis subject this session, and lie inquired if members could obtain facilities for perusing the documents.

'Tho Prime, Minister replied that it was obviously impossible for such a pile -it staff to be reprinted, but lie would be glad to extend every facility to any mem ber for becoming acquainted with the contents of the. publications.

Now that the information is available it remain.-) to bo seen how far it will be consulted by members. It is almost a matter of history that .soma years ago £1000 was spent '.n • preparing 'an extensive return of land owners, which was hardly referred to by a single member.