Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, MAY Kith, 1918. THE CARD SYSTEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, MAY Kith, 1918. THE CARD SYSTEM.

It will be remembered that the introduction of what is known as the card system into the Government workshops in New South Wales, was the cause or a very serious strike last year. The upshot was that the men returned to work eventually, and on the condition that the Government would hold an enquiry- forthwith into the working of the system. The intention of tlie- earn system is to keep a record of each man’s work day by day, thus controlling the desire of some to shirk their obligations, in other words to go slow, and so minimising output, and thus penalising their employer and indirectly the public. The enquiry took place in due course, aim was of an exhaustive nature. A Sydney paper gives a summary of the report which is of interest here as elsewhere:

“Alter allowing for all other possible and probable factors_ there can lie no reasonable doubt that the ({feet of the card system lias been excellent from the point of view of efficiency and economy.” That is the wav in which Judge Curlcwis sums up the- ’evidence recently produced before him as a Royal Commissioner to inquire into the working of the card system in the tramway

v.'i.rkrbopA :.v li s ;r.d«ick, tk© intrcdaction of which was alleged to have been the cause of the* strike last, year. In his formal finding his Honor goes further, when he says that the result of his inquiries among the men in the workshops justifies him in saying that the introduction of the system ’ had not produced any iU scon tent. The report was made available by the Minister of Justice, Mr (lat'laiid, M.L.C. .fudge Cnrlowis liuYkos an exhaustive review of the evidence brought before him. At the out- t act- he says, he was confronted with the danger that tiro inquiry might degenerate into a'mere series of panegryies on the system by the Railway Commissioners, owing to tin' apparent objection of the other side to lake part in the iiufuiry alight degenerate into a Vnor'O si-lie's oV panegyrics on the sys- : lent by the Railway Commissioners, ow- ; tii'g to the aponrent objection of the oth- | er side to take part in the inquiry, in order to avoid that his Honor got pei--1 mission to go through the workshops I and to converse freely with tlie iiieii’, j without the presence of any person who I might 'embarrass tile employees In the free utterance* of Ui'elf opinions; He I also Called before him a nulnbor of men, Vvfn'; bad been pV'Vifiiinbnl in the , strike and made himself acquainted J with the shorthand notes of the. statements made about the ,sy stent at the various deputations to the Government 'durink the strike. From, the figures ami evidence given, on behalf of the /Railway Commissioners, his Honor says i't is clear that the management lias been able to:—(1) Do more and better work with fewer men; (2) ascertain better than before whether the men are doing a fair day’s work; (3), ascertain and recognise tht> merit of any man who is doing exceptionally good work; (4), ascertain whether or nor the equipment of the shops is proper and efficient; (5) co-ordinate the various departments tint! prevent overproduction Oil tome machines and under-production oU others; (fit arrive at a correct estimate of the I cost of particular jobs. Referring fit considerable length to the eVidohce given by Mr Pagdyh;, the. president hi’ the Engineers' Society, bis ttdnbr kays that it took -1.4 questions In gel Mr Pagden to admit what it is difficult to see bow ai\y Intelligent man can deny. Vfisn that every employer must, consciously, estimate the amount of work to be expected of each man. On the general question of the expressed fear that the introduction of the card system would mean the undue SpCcding-up of the workmen. Judge Cut-lewis says; ‘'Any stirb development wduld bi> Wt'OiiW. The Chief Commissioner agrees With the men in this. ][ trust that everV precaution will be taken to see that nothing of the sortitakesk place. The stand, afd Set should lie one to which a man who is willing to do a fair day’s work should he able to conform for a reasonable number of years. The pace set 'should not he one which will wear a man out in a short time, and either throw him on the world without an occupation or force him to go for less remunerative work.” Finally, his Honor says: ‘‘l find that the introduction of the system has not produced any discontent. At tin* same time, it has produced a reeling among the men that, vigilance is necessary to see that the system is not abused. The Chief Commissioner agrees that there is justification for this feeling and has intimated his intention to see that no grounds tor complaint shall exist." 'The report is a complete justification of the card system as a reasonable check for employers to make, and above all it is vindication of the action of the New South Wales Government both prior Vo and during the continuance of the regrettable strike.