NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 19788, 11 February 1928, Page 5

NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE

RIGHT METHODS AHD WRONG This year witnesses certain great events affecting industry in Britain and the over-sea dominions. Instead of the anarchic system of seeking to settle industrial conditions by strikes and lockouts, by war between the industrial I partners, with the general public as the unfortunate sufferer from such internecine strife, apart from reliance on legislative and judicial decisions which are the outcome very often of partialities in the former case and expert balancing in the latter, a new process is being considered and some steps taken to try it out. “Wo have had enough of fighting; let us try what we can do by the peace method of conference and reason,’ is the present attitude of leading representatives of Capital and Labor in Britain. | New Zealand is following on the same lino, whilst in Australia the same plan is being discussed, though they have not yet reached the stage of definite action. The policy of a national industrial conference, with minor joint conferences, between the parties engaged in industry and affected by it, has our hearty support. Wo have urged such a course for years, and are pleased to see it reaching the stage of actual trial. The results of thus conferring should be watched with the greatest by the whole population of our dominion, i as the effects may prove of real benefit to all. The basis and scope of tills conference lias been made very broad and fully representative. Taking up the preliminary arrangements are thc_ Prime minister (Mr Coates), the Minister of Labor (Mr Anderson), and a wellehosen Parliamentary committee representative of all parties, thus making it iu a sense non-party. 'Tins committee of action should ensure that the general interests of the public will bo fully considered, in common with the interests of direct employers and employees. Attached to the conference will be economists and Government experts of high standing, who will be able to supuly valuable data ns guidance towards the most intelligent deliberations. With the representation of the State, of manufacturing, agricultural and pastoral interests, trades and general labor—the employers’ organisations and the workers’—ibis conference marks one of the most important steps that this dominion has taken towards a comprehensive review of the industrial problcms > which it, in common _ with oilier nations, is forced to deal with. FREE DISCUSSION IS BEST. Prior to tlio opening of the national conference the parties most directly concerned are each holding conferences of their own, to select their delegates and instruct them as representatives. The Labor bodies are acting in this way, the Alliance of Labor and Trades Councils’ Federation meeting shortly for such purposes. The New Zealand Fanners’ Union, Employers’ Federation, and Manufacturers’ Association will probably do likewise. With all respect wo would point out that in the instructing _of delegates there is grave risk of the wrong method being adopted. Other conferences have been held at which the delegates met with preconceived ideas, their minds already made up for them by the instructions to which they were bound, and they were not free to examine data or reasoning with unbiassed minds. If the representatives who are sent to this national industrial conference arc similarly bound then the work of the conference may prove of much less value to all concerned than if more freedom of judgment is allowed. One thing to be avoided if possible is giving the conference the character of a body engaged merely in sifting the merits or demerits of claims and counter claims. “ Do not tie your delegates’ hands.” is sound advice, because by so doing "you will prevent the friendly accord with others, even where conviction assures that to shako hands in agreement would be the wise course.

The programme so far prepared gives scope for much committee work where success can only be approached by the most free and candid examination of data and reasoning. Avoidance of party and sectional attitudes and the full recognition that each and all are primarily citizens met together to find out what is best for our country and its people—these cannot bo attained by binding delegates to set programmes, formulas, or sectional lines of thought. W T e can see no better method than free, candid, and enlightened discussion to secure from this conference the good results which all must hope for. A spirit of openness and friendly desire from the opening of the conference will evoko the impulse to work hard in examining ah avenues of thought which may help to place our industries on a sounder and more progressive economic and social basis. It is difficulty we know, to suspend previous opinions, which may in some instances ho as permanent convictions. As far, however, as this can be done, and free judgment exercised, this conference, wo believe, will be of value.

(Contributed by the New Zealand Welfare League).