CONFERENCE OF EMPLOYERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 220, 11 June 1920, Page 8

CONFERENCE OF EMPLOYERS

THE INpUSTRIAL POSITION SOME pORTANT CONCLUSIONS PROFIT SHARING AND PAYMENT BY RESULTS. The special meeting of the Sew Zen- . land Employers' Federation, convened for . the purpose of considering the best t means to adopt for promoting industrial . peace, was continued in camera yesteri day. After (TTscussion, a sub-comftittee was set up to crystallise the opinions of i the delegates, and its report as adopted ■ is expressed in the following:— i . That this meeting, after full diacus--1 cushion of the industrial position in New Zealand, to-day, recommends the following conclusions for consideration by employers and workers' organisations and tho public generally, in the hope : that they may oventually form tho basis of friendly discussion _ and possible negotiations for the promotion of industrial peace:— 1. That in view of the announced aims and intentions of prominent, sections of official labour, it is tho opinion of this meeting that a national conference between representatives of Capital and organised Labour would bo futile. 2. In order to prepare the way for the establishment of more friendly relations and a better mutual understanding, employers aro recommended to get into closer touch with their own employees by the. establishment of workshop committees, meetings with employees, _ personal inquiry into grievances, consideration of suggestions,'and by such other means as may be deemed desirable. .t. That employers be recommended to encourage educational propaganda in their own establishments in connection with matters affecting the common interests of both employers and workers, wirli a view to combating the prevalence of unsound economic theories. Such means are suggested as workshop committees, 'staff meetings, the circulation of informative literature, short talks, discussions, etc. i. That earnest consideration should, be given to tire adoption of the system of payment by results (either by means of piecework, premium or bonus systems, or profit-sharing and superannuation funds) as may be best applicable tojsach particular business. 5. That Government should be recommended to provide by means of national taxation l adequate provision for unem-, ployment and invalidity insurance. G. Encouragement and assistance to be given by Government to workers to build and purchase their own homes. With regard to the proposals set forth above, it will be observed that the desire of the federation is to encourage I the development of itioro - intimate and friendly relations between employers and workers by setting up shop - committees, or by the adoption of somo of the other suggestions in clause 2. Educational. The federation believes -that tho 6amo object will be promoted by encouraging educational work in the various establishments, and feels assured that a considerable proportion of workers will welcome and appreciate a movement In this direction. Profit Sharing arid Payment by Results. The adoption of profit sharing is advocated by many who desire to secure tho best means of promoting industrial peace, and haa to be. considered in connection yith any scheme having that purpose in tiew. It is in operation in a number of industries in Great Britain and America.; it is also being tried in New Zealand, and it is hoped shortly to publish particulars of 6ome of the schemes now in operation in tho Dominion. It must be quite evident that only by more production can more pay bo secured and permanent purchasing power obtained. Any ' system adopted inust, however, provide absolute protection for the employee, and this can be best secured by the employers and workers concerned agreeing as to the basis ot payment. It is believed that a 6ystem of payment by results will be found applicnwsto lliany manufacturing and'other classes of .businesses, and would havo the result of substantially increasing the earnings of -the workers without any increase in the cost of production and without increasing the selling price to the consumer. Tho adoption of <iny such system, however, requires the reasonable co-opera-tion of the trades unions, which would involve a full recognition by employers of trades union organisations and agreement by thoso unions to tho principle of payment by results, with no limitation of output in the factories and workshops of tho Dominion. The adoption o'* some sudh, system would also encourage the setting -up of workshop committees, tho settlement of purely local matters of difference by agreement on many points without infringing m any upon my award 1 or agreement governing the industry. General. . It must be apparent, however, that it is not by the adoption of any particular system or systems of work that industrial peace will be attained. That can only bo secured by a full recognition by both employers and employees that jnstice and fair dealing promoted by full and free discussion between employers and their workers is tho only foundation on which industrial peace can be established. . At the conclusion, tfhe chairman- (Mr. A. C. Mitchell) congratulated the, delegates on the results of their discussions, and expressed the hope that their efforts, directed along the lines indicated, would help to create a better understanding between employers and the workers. Votes of tli an Irs to the chairman, the secretary (Mr. William Pryor), and tho officials of the federation concluded the business.