INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 231, 18 June 1918, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS

THE WORKER AND THE EMPLOYER BRIDGING THE GULF Some phases of tho industrial problem wero discussed in a paper r.'ad by Jlr. C. J. Ward bet'oro the Wellington Industrial Association iast night. Mr. Ward said that there were at present three conllioting interests, namely, capital, employer, and worker, and the pressing question was, How were they to bo brought together in friendly and intelligent co-operation? Ho proceeded to quote from reports and articles that had been published in the United Kingdom, where the problems of industrial' ieconstruction after the war were being considered very closely. One of tho suggestions made, he said, was that organisations representative of the employers

and 'tho workpeople should bo established to undertako tlio regular consideration of matters affecting tho progress and well-being of their trade from the point of view of all the parties engaged in it and of tho community as a whole. It had been urged that the solution of industrial problems depended upon tho attitude of individuals towards social problems, that was, on their moral code. .No business was onlitlcd to make unlimited profits. Labour, employer, capitalist, and consumer were partners, and no ono partner was entitled to benefit unduly at the expense of the others, it had beon suggested in England by 0110 set of reformers that the profits tax should be maintained after the war; that a standard.rate of profit should bo fixed in each industry, and that tho Stato should tako a largo proportion of any profit made in excess of that standard. Profit-sharing had beon urged as a possible solution of many industrial problems. But on the other hand it had been said that profit-sharing was "the sharing of stolen property with tho people from whom it had been stolen," and that the complete destruction of capitalism w,i3 the • goal of industrial unionism. /I'lio bridging of the gulf between the various views seemed to bo the, necd ( of tho moment.

Mr. L. T. Watkins suggested that tho Government should arrange a conference between representatives of tho employers and the workers, selecting responsible mon and not extremists or agitators. A few impartial students could be added, and. tho conference could then bo required to consider tho industrial problems of the hour and give .its idlings. Tho delegates should bo treated like a jury and forced to weigh the issues and reach decisions. Ho agreed that profit-sharing was a mero pretence. The industrial problem would_ not be solved by quarrelling and'bickering. The "gettogether" policy was tho right one, and the Government should see that it was made effective. In answer to a. question Mr. Watkins said the Conciliation Council aijd Arbitration Court dealt merely with sectional disputes. They emphasised disputes, and did nothing to remove th& suspicions and misunderstandings that were keeping honest men apart in contending groups. A member suggested that the "agitators" should have their salaries stopped when a strike wus in progress. If they were paid for industrial peace instead of for industrial war much trouble would be saved,

Mr. H. Mainland approved of the work dono by the Workers' Educational Association. The efforts made by that body to disseminate accurate knowledge would bear very good fruits. His own experience was that both employers and workel's had honest convictions, and that they wero at one in wishing to develop industries. But their points of view were different. The remedy was tho free exchange of opinions and tho general study of conditions. Education was needed on both 6ides. iThe study of tho current literature of industry and economics would help a great deal.

Mr. L. R. Partridge said the question resolved itself into the old issuo of Socialism v. individualism. Practically every thoughtful man approved of the ideals of Socialism. But human nature seemed to mate realisation impossible. The State coal-mines become hotbeds of industrial discontent.' Labour Governments bred inefficiency. Tho community seemed to be incapable of controlling industry as efficiently as the individual controlled it. The sole remedy for the existing troubles appeared to be education. Mr. Ward, in reply, said that a general approval of individualism did not meet the actual problems. An efficient man might, be paid 4:500 a year for managing a business. He launched a business of his own, 111 ado',£sooo a year. What social service had he rendered the community to justify this great increase of reward? Problems of this land demanded attention.