THE BIG STRIKE IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 189, 30 April 1918, Page 4

THE BIG STRIKE IN AUSTRALIA

—$ IJOTAT. COMMISSION ON THE CARD SYSTEM.

"After allowing for all other possible and probable factors, there can bo no reasonable doubt that the effect of tho card system has beeu excellent from tho point of view of efficiency and economy. In theso words Judge Curlewis sums up tho evidenco recently produced . before him as a Royal Commissioner to inquire into the working of tho card system in tiio tramway workshops, at Randwick, tho introduction of which was alleged to have been the cause of tho big general strike last year. In his formal finding, His Honour goes further, when ho says that the result of his inquiries among tho men in tho workshops justifies him in saying that the introduction of the system lmd not produced any discontent. Judge Curlewis makes an exhaustive review of tho evidence brought bofore him. At the outset, ho says, ho was confronted with the danger that the inquiry might degenerate into a mere series of panegyrics on the 6ysteni by tho Eailway Commissioners, owing to the apparent objection of tho other side to take part in the inquiry. In order to avoid that, His Honour got permission to go through tho workships and to converse freely with tho men, without tho presence of any person who might embarrass the employees in the free utterance of their opinions. Ho also called before him a number of.men who had been prominent in the- strike, and made himself acquainted with the shorthand notes of the statements made about the system at tho various deputations to the Govomment during tho. strike.

from the figures and evidenco _ given on behalf of the Eailway Commissioners, ins Honour says it is cleaf that tho management has been able to:—(1) Do more and bettor work with fewer men; (2) ascertain better than before whether tho men are doing a fair day's work; (3) ascertain and recognise the merit of any man who is doing exceptionally good work; (4) ascertain whether or not the equipment of the shops is propor and etficient; (5) coordinate the various departments and prevent over-production on some machines and under-production on others; (6) arrive at a-correct estimate of the cost of particular jobs. Referring at considerable length to the evidenco given by Mr. Padgen, the president of the Engineers' Society, His Honour says that it took forty-four questions to get Mr. Padgen. to admit what it is difficult to see how any intelligent man can deny, viz., that every employer must, consciously or unconsciously, estimate the amount of work to be expected of each man. On tho general question of tho expressed fear that the introduction of the card system would ' mean the undue speedingup of the workmen, Judge Curlowis says: "Any 6uch development would be wrong. Tho Chief Commissioner agrees with the men in this. I trust that every precaution will be taken to see that nothing of the sort takes place. Tho standard set should bo one to which a man who is willing to do a fair day's work should be able to conform for a reasonable number of years. Tho pace set should_ not be one which will wear a mau out in a short timo, and either throws him on tho world without an occupation or force him to go for less remunerative Finally, His Honour says-.—"l find that the introduction of the system has not produced any discontent. At the same time, it has produced u_ feeling among tho men that vigilance is necessary to see that tho system is not abused. The Chief Commissioner agrees that there is justification for this feeling, and has intimated his intention to see that no grounds for complaint shall oxist."