INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17221, 3 October 1927, Page 9

INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN.

PULL TOGETHER SPIRIT. REAL CO-OPERATION. During the last few weeks serious efforts have been made by employers and employees alike to bring about a real spirit of co-operation in the great ' industries of the country, says a London paper. There is already evidence that so far as the railways are concerned the men arc alive to the fact that the prosperity of the companies is a matter on which their livelihood depends. Today it is possible that a new note will be sounded in the shipbuilding industry, for it is expected that wncn me Shipbuilding Employers' Federation meet the representatives of the shipyard unions this morning important proposals will be made which, if accepted by the men, are likely to rule out wage disputes for some time to come. i

In the meanwhile, as the result of the meeting of the representatives of the railway companies and the National Union of Railwaymen in Birmingham, it is reported that there is a great improvement in the spirit animating railway workers. Each man is doing his best in his particular sphere to sec that the company by which he is employed shall obtain as much traffic as possible. Road Transport Unfair. In a letter from the Chief Goods Manager of the Great Western Bailway which has ha:n circulated throughout the branches of the National Union of Railwaymen it is shown how. this can be done: The staff can promote the interests of the company mainly in two ways, (a) influencing of business to the company; and (b) the handling of the; goods entrusted lo us with such care j and intelligence as will enhance our i reputation. i In circulating Ihe letter to all their) branches the organising secretaries of the-National Union of Railwayman say:

It is lo our interest Lo support the railways in obtaining and handling as great a volume of traffic as possible, and further to our interest that the traffic should be handled with the least possible loss and damage. Road transport competition is on definitely unfair lines because it is subsidised from the rates and by sweated labour. Such a condition endangers the interests of the railway companies and seriously jeopardises the interests of railway employees. From a purely trade union standpoint we are justified in supporting the railway industry. That is to say, our members in a representative capacity on public bodies are justified m using their influence in supporting the railway industry because it gives trade j union conditions of labour, whereas many of its competitors do not do so.