N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 18833, 28 May 1920, Page 7

N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE

the way to industrial peace

(Contributed by the Welfare League!

The Industrial Council, formed by the British Government in 1911 on the advocacy of Sir Charles Maeaara. was a remarkable success. It was composed of representatives of both Capital and Labour from every great industry, with Sir George Askwith a mo.-l unbiassed chairman. The sue cess of this Council was so marked that it excited the jealousy of the professional politician who felt that it left him with nothing hut. a hack seat, since it placed the control of industry in the hands of the practical men associated with it. The politicians polled strings to prevent the Council's employment and It foil into disuse. Though the Council was made inoperative the ideas upon which it is formed are more widespread and more vital to-day than s>cr they were before. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE. During the war the Cotton Control Hoard, framed upon the prinrinies of the Industrial Council, proved, mo-t satisfactory in the guidance of the eolfon trade. On these ideas President Wilson based his suggestion which led to the settlement of the great American coal ,-rrike. In 1-ranee. Helgintn. Italy and Switzerland legislation has been passed embodying tins. 1 ideas. The same ideas are plainly evident in tire* proposals for Courts of Industry in the United State.-. The ideas are behind the movement in South Africa, on wham rtie I nan: Governinen t sei-nred a National Industrial '.’(inference in Novemb-'r. 1919. with marked Uieepss. It is on Ihe -am" ideas that the N'.nional Indusi rii.i C.-a f.-renee has he-n called in Ans ralia hv the Crime Minister, the Hon. W. M. Hughes. What i' - i lie of this wiiie^ idea. Sum ly that the idea is based upon logic, insight air! a thorough knowledge ot the requireinenie. oi industry. what a;:: the ideas-.' First ami forerno. t. if.dn.-try should man nc it- own an airs. Apart Irani the ehairnnin only printteal men a.-sociaic-d with in (histry should -ar upon t.ne Unmcd of In-dn-rry. If i-- r- important that each imlustry should i.e treat ■<! a- a whole. AVhen disputa- ,ir;.-e ;here must b" ready means of di-rm—mg and -e; iimg them Ivy experts of (', ( > ir-i I and I.idiom- m i”e industry it.-elf. if no -eul.-nnan is arrived a: there mini he ready a means of reference to a more ci-ntral a- unci!, composed of representatives of hoih ■-mploycr- and workers who have larger nraeiieal experience oi the working of ine.a.-l nn-. ’( .-loiiM he held. ever ft mud lha; in In-- lua.tier of iridn-t na! i! is; >ll r• ■ - the I i uni eoiirt. and the sniv one having fully e!'ierti\e means of arnnpnlsion, is public opinion. Ihe great desideratum is to get an impartial verd.iet from an experienced, authoritative and representative body, and i hen the parties will hesitate to take any step to .-id that verdict aside. Whoever did -o would put themselves in the wrong with the supreme arbiter public opinion, which all will consider. This, of course, assumes thin all verdicts would be given the wide -t publicity, hut that i.- a self evident necs-ity which need in view of wh;o it as bem done elsewhere the question - land.- -wind wiil New Zealand do i