PROFIT-SHARING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3414, 20 August 1919, Page 27

PROFIT-SHARING.

AN EXTREME LABOUR VIEW. Mr M. Silvenstone, -whose name has been submitted to the Labour Representation Committee as that of a suggested candidate* for the parliamentary election, and who ia president of the Otago Labour Council, ha» issued a circular addressed to "fellow delegates" in which the system of Profit-Sharing' is criticised in the following terms: — , "Throughout New Zealand employers- rt» secondary industries have become very ' active in instituting 'bonus' or 'profit-shar-ing' schemes. Employers have not turned philanthropists, and recognised that they have neglected their workers in the past and now wish to make amends. It is not for the purpose of bringing about mora pleasant and happier relations or to assist the workers 'to raise themselves to better and higher social positions,' that these schemes are being pushdd forward. The incentive behind these innovations is tho desire to safeguard invested capital and assume a 'standard' dividend, both of which are being endangered by the demand of organised Labour throughout the world, for a share in the ownership, control,, and management of all industries. ."If the employers are successful in their efforts to establish the 'bonus' or 'profit-sharing' schemes, it will have the effect of guaranteeing a fixed dividend by the workers themselves, intensifying? production and will also breed unsuspect* mg antagonism between the workers _ of the secondary and essential industries. Remember, division in the ranks of Labour is the life of modern capitalism. "For the reasons outlined, it is your duty to impress on your union the necessity for discouraging the acceptance of such ineffective palliatives, and to stand solid with the workers in the essential industries in a demand for a share iQ the ownership, control, and management of all industries."