INDUSTRIAL PEACE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 65

INDUSTRIAL PEACE.

By

Plain Jane.

(Special for the Otago Witness.) Our interest in industrial peace is at least equal to that of men. Leaving on one side the fact that a large proportion .of the world’s workers are women, wives and mothers are also vitally concerned in industrial relationships. Before any considerable section of women worked for wages they suffered much through strikes and lockouts. All too frequently men have acted without the slightest consideration of the interest of their wives and families, with the result that needless suffering has been entailed on all. Sometimes as a result of wounded dignity and pride, and then only of an imaginary nature, stoppages of work and wages have occurred with disastrous results to the home.

It is impossible to exaggerate the wastage of industrial warfare. Millions of money and not a few lives have been sacrificed quite needlessly by strikes and lockouts, which in the main have been caused by a lack of candour on both sides of the industrial argument. Employers and employees have been loth to see each other’s viewpoint, and have consequently drifted into costly and disastrous trials of strength. For the women and children the struggle has always been a tragedy. Even when strikes have been won after a siege the break in the regularity of the family income has meant weeks and sometimes years of reduced standards of living. We have so long been free from this evil in its violent forms that we cannot appreciate the advantages of industrial peace 'and the wastage of industrial war. We are hot stirred in the slightest degree by loose talk about the abolition of the Arbitration Court and a return to the strike system. Industrial disputes under present-day conditions can be settled only by conciliation and arbitration or by strikes and lockouts. While we in New Zealand have been in large measure free from the worst aspects of industrial strife, wc have undoubtedly suffered from the continuous agitation of interested parties and the consequent strained relationships between employer and employee. It may suit a small section of agitators to keep up

a running fight, but it is not in the general interest of the community to have unsettlement in industry. This state of affairs doubtless hampers expansion, and contributes substantially to unemployment. Industry cannot thrive under such conditions, and curtailment of operations is the result. The ever-present danger of discouraging enterprise cannot be over-emphasised. Industrial expansion is a very delicate affair, and the financial barometer is extremely sensitive. There are signs everywhere—and I am not posing as an authority on investment values—of ’ a decided disinclination to put money into industrial undertakings. I know people with a small sum who, although themselves wage-earners, would not think of investing their savings in concerns where labour is employed. I have been somewhat surprised at their point of view, but having heard it I find something solid in it. For the most part the class I am referring to have worked hard and been thrifty. The result is that they have something to invest againsj

old age and a rainy day. They say in effect that too large a section of their fellow-workers are guilty of “ ea’ canny,” and another section seeks industrial strife rather than industrial - peace. Therefore they will invest their small savings only in local body or Government delientures or such like. A number leave their all in the Savings Bank, despite the fact that the interest return is small. This is not a healthy or helpful state, but it is an inevitable result of present-day tendencies. To iny mind there is most certainly a standard of honesty in work. The worker who does something less than his or her best is an enemy of all his or her fellow-men and women. This is not a mere platitude, but a stern economic truth. I know it is not rcsognised today as such. It has become a habit to “ go slow,” and this habit has done more to increase the cost of the things we all need than all the price-rigging of markets. It is so simple that it is surprising that every worker does not see it and immediately decide to stop it. Moreover, it is not a matter of pure economics—it is plain common sense.

Let us take anything we need—houses, for instance. If the maker of bricks or the layer of bricks does less than his best- the cost of the house is increased. If the house is built by a private person for letting purposes, or by the Government or the municipal council, then the rent is higher than it should .be. As with bricks so with all the materials used in building the house. And so, too, with the erection of the house. The same results of “going slow” follow us everywhere. If the making of our roads or our streets is more costly than necessary, rates and taxation are increased, and as so large a portion of these are paid by wage-earners, those who “go slow ” are penalising everybody, including themselves. I think this is so clear that we should all discourage slacking. In these days of short hours and reasonable holidays there is not much danger of evil results from over-exertion. The wisdom of encouraging industrial peace is beyond question. Society is so inter-dependent that not the least nor the greatest of us can live to or for ourselves along. Strife is unnatural, and so wasteful that it should be rigorously discouraged by all who love their fellow's If we could all work together for the common good we must all benefit. There is so much necessary work to be done in our young country that it, is idle to fear that there will be no work. The more houses we build the more work there will be for painters and all other workmen. More furniture will be required, and all the necessary things will be multiplied. Better roads will mean cheaper transit, and consequently cheaper goods. Industrial strife hampers all attempts to produce more of the things we need, and we suffer accordingly. A large conference of those interested in production will be held this month, and I have deemed it wise to discuss the question of industrial relationships. I hope my readers are interested, because I am convinced that the matter is of special importance to women. This year we will be called upon to. exercise our votes, and if they are to he of any value they should be cast in favour of those who are endeavouring wisely to direct our country’s destinies. They should not be given to those who would turn this country into an industrial battleground, l when your happiness and mine depends so largely on wise direction and mutual co-operation.