THE COACHBUILDERS' CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 177, 22 April 1919, Page 6

THE COACHBUILDERS' CONFERENCE

DISCUSSION ON BONUSES

MOTOR BODY BUILDING

The annual convention of the New Zealand Coacti and Motor Vehicles Trades' Industrial Association of Employers was resumed in Wellington yesterday. Mr. W. J. Boon, president, vus in the chair. A paper was read by Mr. D. 11. Taylor, of Wellington, on the "Distribution of Overhead Charges." He submitted to the conference some suggestions on the subject, but after discussion it was decided that his scheme be not adopted. For the guidance of employers, however, it is the intention of the association to bring down some scheme, and at the meeting to-day a scheme will bo brought down by tho'executive.

A paper by Ji.r. William Pryco, of Christchurch, on "The Bonus Question and Profit Sharing" -\i'as read by Mr. F. A. Drayton, also of Christchurch. It was argued that the payment of bonuses to the best workers liad rt suited l in discontent, and this had led to loss in average efficiency. One firm had given the scheme three years' trial with.no,appreciable results except in securing tho staff in some degree. The firm was continuing the sys tern for another year, as it was considered that there were men in the factory who should be paid for the energy displayed by them. In Ihe oourst of discussion it was pointed out that one of the difficulties iiKarriving at a fair basis for tho payment of lonunes was the absence of standardisation. It was stated that several firms had tried the bonus system, hut, with one -exception, they had gone back to the ordinary wage.,system. Mr. Cousins stated Hiat a trial had been given to the bonus system in AVanganui, i but, although ' 'he uien . earned more money under it, the unions had objected to it as a speedin»-up system, and the scheme had to be abandoned as impracticable. The conference decided at length that no action should be takpn in the matter, except that tilers be a general .recommendation that good wages should be paid' to men deserving them. Mr. Kennedy, read a paper on "Motor Body Building, and Its Possibilities from a Coaclibiiilder's Point of View." In the subsequent discussion the question of standardisation was Raised, and the opinion of members present was that without some measure of standardisation the trade would, always be under a serious handicap. It was conceded that until there was more standardisation the tra<ie would never be able to cope with the demand at present existing for motor bodies. It was admitted by the ir.otor traders that the locally-built body was much more in demand than the American body, and that the traders could get the extra cost for the car fitte.d with the New Zealandbuilt /body, on account of its greater durability and the greater . comfort itgave. The 1 trade could build the bodies well enough, but until' there was standardisation they could not build thorn fast enough to cope with the trade, or at prices which would ensure the bulk of the trade coming to the New Zealand Bhops. ' . On the ouestion of tariff requirements of .the trade the following resolutions were passed:— ■ "That, this association approach the Government' in the matter of tariff requirements, with a request • that a duty of 20 per cent, bo levied on the complete car. and 5 per cent, on chassis."

"That a duty of 50 per'oent. be levied on completed motor-car bodies (or Tcnockdown' bodies)." The conference will meet again this morning, and it is hoped that the business wift be completed before midday.