THE H.B. TRIBUNE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1927 FOR INDUSTRIAL PEACE
qpHE cable messages of the last few days have been dealing largely with international efforts to secure the reduction of armaments in the hope that it will tend to the preservation of peace. Though this is, of course, a matter of profound interest that is worldwide and so of concern to us among the rest of the civilised peoples of the earth, to-day’s messages have reference to a peace conference that touches us much more closely. We allude here' to the messages that tell us of the good prospects there are of a discussion between leading industrialists and leading representatives of industrial employees with a view to working out schemes of more cordial and effective co-operation between the two classes. It is to the credit of the employee class that this latest phase in the attempts to remove one of the greatest obstacles that lie in the way of the revival of British industrial prosperity was initiated by trades unionists at their con gress which met in Edinburgh last September. Though not embodied in any formal resolution, it was, on the rising of the Congress, authoritatively announced that the leaders, with the unqualified support of the delegates “accepted responsibility for a policy of cooperation with employers in an endeavour to work out a practical solution of industrial troubles by methods of conciliation,” This was later enlarged by the definition of the new policy as one that “aims at using the organised power of the workers to promote effective co-operation in developing more efficient, less wasteful methods of production, eliminating unnecessary friction and avoidable conflict, in order to increase wealth production and provide a steadily rising standard of social life ana continuously improving condition! of employment for the workers.’’ It was with this reported, though not communicated, declaration of a new trades unionist policy before them that, a little more than a month ago, the National Confederation of Employers’ Organisations adopted a resolution setting out the lines on which, in its opinion, the cause of industrial peace could be best advanced. This resolution endorsed unreservedly both the desire for industrial peace that was expressed at the Trades Union Congress and the belief that this end could be achieved only by the combined endeavours of the employers and the employed themselves. It then went on to say: “The Confederation is deeply conscious that united efforts by employers and employed are imperative if this country is to regain and maintain its position in the keenly competitive world of to-day, and that the presence of a sincere mutual desire for a better understanding amongst all engaged in industry, without the intervention of political parties, is the first essential to those united efforts.” Following on this, at the instance of Sir Alfred Mond, head of a concern employing 40,0001 workers, an informal confer.’ll. c on I industrial peace was held at lhe |
Mansion House. At this both captalists and trades unionists were very fully and responsibly represented, among those present being such well known Labour leaders as Messrs. Tom Shaw and Ben Tillet and Sir Henry Slisser, formerly a member of the MacDonald Government. Among those unable to attend who sent letters in support were Messrs. Ramsay MacDonald, Ben Turner, Arthur Henderson and Philip Snowden. Under the guidance of Sir Alfred Mond, who spoke of his owwn plan —outlined in another column of this issue—of copartnership with his employees, the proceedings were of the most friendly character. It may be said that the outcome of this meeting was the invitation by the Employers’ Confederation to a joint conference which now seems almost assured of acceptance by the Trades Union Congress. It may, perhaps, be as well not to be over-sanguine as to the final result, but it is at least something that the two sides are likely to agree on coming together to discuss matters, and apparently in a spirit of give and take. In conclusion, and as affording an indication of the changed attitude adopted by prominent trades unionists, the following from the pen of Mr. Citrine, secretary of the Trades Union Congress may be quoted: “I am opposed decisively to those who say the only use to be made of the power of the trade unions is to destroy the existing system, to make it unworkable by incessant strife and conflict, and to effect a sudden transfer of control over industry by forcible means. For that reason, responsible and thoughtful trade unionists resist a policy oi blind, destructive fury against the present economic order as sui cidal. Their alternative is a policy . , . whioh aims at using the organised power of the workers to promote effective cooperation in developing more efficient, less, wasteful methods of production, eliminating unnecessary friction and avoidable conflict. Then, we have this written by Mr. J. R. Glynes, Labour M.P.: In the end we shall find that the way to end strikes and lockouts is not by legal terrorism or hunger. They will disappear not by being made illegal, but by being made unthinkable. Such a condition can only be brought about by the fullest co-operation and open dealing between the parties, based upon a genuine desire to secure peace and efficiency in industry.”
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Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 29 November 1927, Page 4
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874THE H.B. TRIBUNE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1927 FOR INDUSTRIAL PEACE Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 29 November 1927, Page 4
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