INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 245, 10 July 1919, Page 4

INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS

. WELFARE LEAGUE'S IDEAS SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES Industrial problems and the relationi between Capital and Labour were among the matters discussed at the conference of tho New Zealand Welfare League yesterday. The president of tho league, in his opening address, said that moderate men would have to tight the so-called Labour Party as long as its leaders advocated extremo and revolutionary doctrines. But lie recognised that the position of the workers must be improved, and he sketched the lines that ho thought reform ought to take.

Tho first important matter was the increase of production, said Mr. Skerrett. The country must produce more in order to cover the wastage of war. The workers were restricting production, and their present policy, adopted as part of the never-ceasing conflict between Capital and Labour, was the negation of efficiency, and a, burden to the whole country. lie would point out that the unskilled and partially skilled workora caused the country more loss and inconvenience than the skilled workers. Waterside workers, miners, seamen, and trarnjyaynien were among the workers who had dislocated industries and inflicted loss upon the community, while the trouble among skilled tradesmen was comparatively little. Another point to keep in mind was that the employer and the worker, iu their struggle against one another, regarded each his own interests, and paid 110 attention at all .to tho interests of the general public. The consumer was entirely ignored by the parties. When concessions were obtained the consumer paid. It was obvious that the- present process could not fail to | force up prices, and that eventually the restriction of production and the raising of wage 6 must involve the nation in disaster. It was ridiculous for tho Labour Party to propound schemes requiring the expenditure of enormous sums of public money when at tho same time the party supported the deliberate limitation of production, and consequent reduction of national wealth.

Mr. Skerrett proceeded to quote with approval the principles laid down in the Garton Report, as follows:—,

*'(a) The first necessity of tho industrial situation fs greater efficiency of production. In order to meet the difficulties created by the war, to make good the losses of capital, and to raise tho ntandard of living amongst the mass of our people, we mu6t endeavour to increase both tho volume and the quality of outpint.

"<h? 7n order that this result may be obtained without detriment to tho social v/eltaro of the community, it must bo nought for Tather in improved organisation and tho elimination of irasto and friction, than in adding to the strain on the workers, and must ba accompanied bj; a change .of attitude and spirit which will give to industry a worthier and more clearly recognised place in our national life.

"(c) This can only be accomplished if the sectional' treatment of industrial questions is replaced by tho active cooperation of Labour, Managament, and Capital to raise the general level of productive capacity, to maintain a high standard of workmanship and to improve working conditions. "(d) It is essential lo tho securing of well co-operation that Labour, (is a party to industry, 6hould have a voice in matters directly concerning its special interests, such as rates of way aid conditions of employment. It i 9 necessary to create adenuato machinery bcth for securing united action in the puisuit ot common ends and for tho equitablrt adjustment of -points which involvo competing interests. This machinery must be sufficiently powerful to enable, both sides to accept its decisions with confidence that any agreement arrived at will b" generally observed."

Tho league, said Mr. Skerrett, would have to consider if reform rn these lines was desirable for New Zealand. No assistance need he expected from tho present leaders of Labour, who would light to retain the present system of warfare and bargaining, Vut ho hoped that very many of tho workers would eeo that their interests would best ba served by a working arrangement with the employers—an arrangement that that would give them a share in tho management of tho business of tho country, and so would lead to their having a share of the profits. Casual labour was a fruitful source of industrial troublo and unrest, and he would ask delegates to consider the advisability of having permanently employed waterside workers,, under the control of the Government, or some other authority. Tho system might involve sonio loss when there was a rush of Korlc, but it would give, economy and increased efficiency in other directions, .and would protect the public from the effects of the continual struggle between casual waterside labour and tho shinping eomnanips, caeli intent upon their own interests and regardless of. public interests.

The conference, after discussion, adopted the following proposals relating to industrial matters:—

(U All entire reconsideration of the method of settling industrial disputes with a view to their more expeditious settlement, with special consideration to the adjustment of disputes cither by committees on the lines.of the Whitley Commission, or by Industrial Parliament on Hie lines of Mr. Spsrkes's scheme.

■ (2) Provision for the representation of consumers on any body entrusted with the settlement of industrial disputes.

(3) To devise 6ome method by which the wage-earner shall have n share in the management of industrial concerns and tho encouragement cf all possible means of amicable relationships between employers and workers. (i) To abolish, as tar as possible, casual employment, and the waste of efficiency thereby involved.

(5) The amendment of the National Annuities Act by making provision for Government assistance lo the pension funds of employers, public authorities) and bona fide friendly societies.

Several remits from branches wero placed before the conference. Some delegates favoured the adoption of profit-shnr-' ing had not generally proved a success ill practice. A proposal that there should be "effective limitation of the right to strike in all occupations involving public conveniences was rejected. The delegates opposed to his proposal'argued that it was not possible to force men to work or to visit really severe penalties on strikers. The prevention of strikes in essential industries would have to be achieved in some other way.

Mr. G. Pearce moved a Wanganui remit as follows:—

"To devise n plan whereby workers get paid J>y results instead of at union rates, thereby ensuring to every worker what he earns."

Tho mover said that under present conditions 110 worker bnd any inducement to work better or faster than the least competent man in his industry. Other .delegates said that t.lio abandonment of the minimum wage would be a retrograde step. There, was nothing to prevent an employer paying the nest workmen lit rates in excess of the minimum rate in return for specially efficient service.

Eventually, Mr. Pearce put his motion in the following form:—

"To encourage the payment of an efficiency wage, so that energetic workers may secure more than the minimum wase."

This proposal was approved by the conference.