CAPITAL AND LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 72, 19 December 1918, Page 8

CAPITAL AND LABOUR

4 AN IMMEDIATE PROBLEM lIOW TO "GET TOGETHER" "Tim great problem is how to retain in full effect all llu> existing spurs to individual initiative, and yet to curl) thnt individual initiative where it is injiirous lo the State, and to assist it to advance along Ihe right, avenues,'' said Ihc president ot the Employers' Federation (Mr. T. Kliaiier 'Weston) yesterday. "There must lie morn mutual trust liotvecn cmplovem and employed. This can unlv arise from a radical change in I,lit: mental attitude of each individual employer and employee Inwards each other. "No scheme which does not. produce this result can bn pcrmnnontly effective. Till! Arbitration Court in New Zealand was at: one time thought, to have settled labour disputes. So lons a-? " could make concessions to workers it was approved by them. AVheii the limit of concessions began to be renewed the advocates of direct action took its place. Owing mainly to the exceptional circumstances of the war, Miployers, rather than stop industries, have granted concessions that in peace time they might have refused. liven now, however, in some industries, attempts are being mado l>y extremists among their fellows to disnredit even their chosen advocates of. direct action. "At the present, no sooner does a Labour leader begin to inspire the smallest -feeling of trust, and respect amongst employee than his followers proceed to cost him out of oflice. Consequently unless ho is a. mnn of strong character and great couriige, to maintain himself in power, he must constantly stir up friction and strife between employer and employee, and preach, if he docs not practice, Bolshevik doctrines. "Although but a few months ago they were elected leaders, because they held the most estremo' views, to-day there are riv.ils to them who will go further. This way leads inevitably to industrial anarchy. If there in to lie a rapprochement between Labour and Capital, the 'leaders 011 each sido require to have a mutual trust and respect for each other, and agreements made, between them must be scrupulously respected by their followers. As to the first point any business man knows how easily business is done between firms in friendly relation with each other, whoso word can bo taken. Disputes are rare, and when they arise can bo readily' settled, as neither party suspects the other of ulterior motives. If both sides could appoint mid trust leaders who havo an nonest and fair mental outlook, Labour would in the long run benefit from that course. "As to the second point, there must bo 11 certainty of conditions if business is to be done economically and expeditiously conducted. Modern undertakings often require months to eompleto. . Unless a fixity in the price of Labour and material exists, contractors require a largo margin lo guard against, tlio possibility of a riso in either or both. Constant alterations in tlio scalo of wages may slop altogether in. initiation of new industries,'and the development of old, and in any case inevitably increase their cost. The experience of the last four years must have taught everyone that a decrease in the cost of living is what benefits the greater number, and that a rise in wages operates unequally, and benefits- the. few at the expense of the many. This want of certainty in industrial conditions is one of the factors that results in higher prices. "It is on points like these that the moderate men 011 both sides should come together and consult. Let them study the question closely, anil a successful plan for combating this growing evil can surely be thought out and agreed upon. The story of tho munition workers in England shows the efficacy of such joint action. There, when once the worker gripped the importance of a full effort on his part, and tho managers the necessity of fair conditions of lifo for tho men, the output increased enormously, and the problem was solved. It was, however, the joint appreciation of Ihe nature of the position by both sides thnt brought this About. "Tilers is no doubt that the expense of production, and distribution of most articles of living can be substantially decreased, provided both Capital and Labour concentrate their attention on these, points, and seek tho aid of dispassionate students in economies for whom personal wealth has 110 great attraction. The rapid progress of agricultural science should result in the cheapening of. products and greatly assist ill this. Sonio improvement, too, will have to be made in. the currency of all 11a-i-?v S 'i • °' " lfi important financial ililhculties to bo solved in the immediate future is the fact J.hut the supply ot gold is steadily falling short of tho coinage requirements of tlio different notions. A remedy must bo. perfected to prevent, or at all events minimise, nnciuations in the value of the univer- ' sa j„ indium of exchange. "The most: acute danger in Right the two English-speaking nations-Hie British Lmpire and tho United States-have to face is the bittc-r antagonism between Labour and Capital. This is a matter even more for the individual than the Mate. Jivery citizen must do his part, and must not evade his personal responsibility. It the worker recognises the necessity for 'fie existence of capital, and that Labour without its aid is impotent, it he gives a full and unstinted ellort then tho capitalist on his part must; be fair and generous in his deal"One of the outstanding features of the war is that the ■ successful platoon lender was the man who took the kcen- . est interest in the well-being 0 f j,j s me „ A constant .source of complaint bv the worker is that ihe employer looks upon liuu cumi nioro cog .11 1110 ]ti>l cliinp, & Piece ot niecJmiiism \riHiout human feelnigs or desires This should be altered. 11 c-ach employer would.set his mind'to remedy the reasonable grie"ances of his I men, and endeavour as far as' possible ; (0 improve their conditions of life, much ■ c °uld tie speedily accomplished. Public 1 opinurii is a more effective regulator of fomliict than a penal slatute. Let eneli individual regulate his life on these ines, even to 11 comparatively sinati extent, and a standard of life would be ■ established which would mean Ihe ostracism by the whole community equally ot the worker who "goes slow and of the ?n<plover who gives way to injustice ami greed. Abolish these great evils, "I'd would go tar to have a contented and prosperous nation. In this connection. in every business of a permanent nature with a non-fluctuating staff 5 employer,s would bo well advised 'to iu- . align rate some scheme of prolit-shnring . and. establish a superannuation fund for ; their men."