INDUSTRIAL PEACE.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16858, 11 June 1920, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL PEACE.

PREPARING THE WAY. SUGGESTIONS .or EMPLOYERS' FED3KATION. (rEESS ASSOCIATION TELEGHAM.) WELLINGTON", June 10. The special mooting cf the New Zealand Employers' Federation commenced for the purpose of considering the best means to adopt for promoting industrial peace, was continued in camera to-day. At the bitting a sub-com-mitt:>o was sot up to cijstailise the opinions of the delegates, and its report as adopted is expressed in tho following resolutions: That this meeting, after full discussion of the industrial position ill New Zealand to-day, -.-(-•commends tho following conclusions for consideration by c'Wiovers' and workers' organisations, and tho public generally, in the liop.e that they may eventually form the basis of'friendly discussion and possible negotiations for tho promotion of industrial peace: — (1) That, in view of tho announced aims and intentions of prominent sections of o'ucial Labour, it is tho opinion of the meeting that a national conference between ropi-tv. sentativcs of Capital and organised Labour would be futile. (2) In order ,to prepare the way for the establishment of more friondlv relations, and a better mutual tinderstaading, employers are recommended to got into closer touch with their own employees, by the establishment of workshop committees, meetings with employees, personal enquiry into grievances, consideration, of suggestions, and by such other means'"as may deemed dcsirablo. (3) That employers be recommended to encouvago' educational propaganda in their own establishments in connexion v.itli matters affecting th-e : common interests of both employers and workers, with a view to combating the prevalence of unsound economic theories. Such means are suggested as committees, staff meetings, circulation of informativo literature, short talks, discussions, ctc. . (1) That earnest consideration should be given to the adoption of a system of payment by results (cither by means of piecework, premium, or bonus systems, or profit-sharing and superannuation funds) as may be best applicable to each, particular „ business. (5) That tho Government sliould be lecommondcd to provide, by means ■ of national taxation, adequate provision for unemployment and invalidity insurance. '(G) Encouragement and assistance to bo givon by the 1 Government to workers to build and purchaso their own homes.

COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSALS The official statement in which the foregoing resolutions are recorded continues : With regard to tho proposals sot fortli above, it will be observed that the desire of the Federation is to encourage the deveTopment of more intimate and friendly relations between employers and workers by setting up shop committees, or by the adoption of some of the other suggestions in clause 2. The Federation believes that tho same object will be promoted by encouraging educational work in the various establishments, and feels assured that a considerable proportion of the workers will welcome and appreciate a movement in this direction. The adoption of profit-sharing is advocated by many who desire to secure the best means of promoting peace, and it has to bo considered in connexion with any scheme having that purpose in view. It is in operation in a number of industries in Great Britain and Amcrica. It is also being tried in New Zealand, and it is hoped shortly to publish particulars of some of the schemes now in operation in the Dominion. It must be quite evident that only by more production can more.jiay be socurod, and a permanent purchasing power obtained. Any system adopted must, however, provide absolute protection for the employee, and this can be best secured by the employers and workers concerned agreeing as to the basis of payment. It is believed that tho system of payment by results will bo found applicable to many manufacturing and other classcs of businesses, and would have tho result of substantially increasing the earnings of the workers without any increase in the cost of and without increasing the selling price to the consumer. Tho adoption of any such system, however, require? the reasonable _ co-opera-tion of the trados unions which would involve full recognition by the employers of the trades union organisations, and an agreement by those unions to the principle of payment by results with no limitation of output in the factories and workshops of the Dominion. The adoption of some such system would also encourage tho setting up of workshop committees, the settlement of purely focal matters of difference by agreement on mnnv points without infringing in any way upon any award or agreement governing tho industry. It must bo apparent, however, that it is not by the adoption of any particular system or systems of work that industrial peace will be attained. That can only bo secured by full recognition by both employers and employees that justice and fair dealing, promoted by full and free discussion between employers and their workers, is the only foundation on which industrial peace can be established.