The Wanganui Chronicle. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1948 AMENITIES FOR EMPLOYEES.

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 February 1948, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1948 AMENITIES FOR EMPLOYEES.

T HB rugged individualist would probably regard the provision of amenities by employers for their employees as savouring of paternalism. On that account he would probably oppose the trend in evidence today whereby employers are paying increased attention to the comfort of those whom they employ. The rugged individualist would claim that the individual is entitled to receive all the money the employer can afford to pay for the labour contribution and it is the employee’s business to spend that reward a - and how he will. The rugged individualist of this school is not so frequent today as he was when the writings of John Stuart Mill were popular, but there is some truth in his gospel which merits being remembered. It would operate as an antidote against paternalism which is aimed at buying cheaply a reputation for generosity.

Experience has proved, however, that some degree of authority is required in the community if it is to be run satisfactorily for all concerned. The authority of an employer is of great value in that it makes for discipline in production, which discipline is essential for efficiency. Inefficiency operates to the detriment of all employees in an industry and inefficiency is to be fought by all who have their own and the general good at heart. There is no justification in allowing, in the name of individualism one worker to act to the detriment of his fellows. Discipline, however, is not enough despite it being essential to efficiency. Goodwill is an additional element in the success of a venture. Goodwill eases the operations over friction points and this aids production to a satisfactory degree. It is interesting to learn from the address io the shareholders of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company de'ivered by the Chairman of Directors, Mr. W. H. E. Flint, that efforts made by the company to improve conditions for the employees of the company have been appreciated by those whom it was sought to benefit.

“lam glad,” said Mr. Flint, “that this season shows a marked improvement (compared with last year) the supply of labour offering is adequate for the needs of all departments while a good proportion of the men trained in the work last year have come back to us. I would like to pay tribute to the excellent work which has been done and the good spirit prevailing. Much has been done by way of providing improved amenities in the shape of housing accommodation, cafeterias, and in other directions. The expenditure involved is fully warranted by results. ’ ’ The conditions under which men work are of very great importance in attracting the right kind of man to an industry. When a farmhand, for instance, is required to eat with the dog and feed with the fowls, he cannot be expected io be a very high grade individual. In the long ran the employer who cannot see his way to ensure to his employee the amenities of day-tc-day living will find provided for him an excuse for his not doing so in the misconduct of those whom he does employ. Too frequently the fundamental fact that poor conditions result in the provider thereof receiving the dregs of the labour market is lost from sight. It pays to attract the higher levels of the laboui market just as much as it pays to purchase any other quality article. It pays, also, to take due care of any valuable product, the labour force being no exception to this rule.