INDUSTRIAL PEACE

Southland Times, Issue 18846, 11 June 1920, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL PEACE

SUGGESTIONS TO EMPLOYERS. THE WELLINGTON CONFERENCE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 10. The special meeting of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation commenced for the purpose of considering the best means to adopt, for promoting industrial peace, was continued in camera to-day. At this discussion a sub committee was set up to crystalise the opinions of the delegates, and its report as adopted is expressed in the following resolutions:— That this meeting, after full discussion of the industrial position to-day, recommends the following conclusions for consideration by the employers’ and workers’ organisations and the public generally, in the hope that they may eventually form the basis of a 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 the opinion of the meeting that a national conference between representatives of capital and organised labour would be futile.

(2) In order to prepare the way for the establishment of more friendly relations and a better mutual understanding, employers are recommended to get into closer touch with their own employees by the establishment of workshop committees, meetings with employees, persona! inquiry' into grievances, consideration of suggestions and by such other means as may be deemed desirable.

(3i 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, with a view to combating the prevalence of unsound economic theories. Such means are suggested as workshop committees, staff meetings, circulation of informative literature, short talks and discussions, etc.

(4) That earnest consideration should he Riven to the adoption of a system of payment by results (either by means of piecework, premium, nr bonus system, or profit sharing and superannuation I as may be best applicable to each particular business.

(5) That the Government should be recommended to provide by moans of national taxation adequate provision for unemployment and invalidity insurance. (fi) Encouragement and assistance to be given by the Government to workers to build and pure base their own homes. With regard to the proposals set forth above, if will be observed that the desire of the federation is to encourage the development of more intimate and friendly relations between employers and workers by setting up shop committees or by the adoption of some other suggestions in clause 2. The federation believes that the same object will be promoted by encouraging educational work in the various establishments, and feels assured that a considerable proportion of the workers will welcome and appreciate movements in this direction. The adoption of profit-sharing is advocated by many who desire to secure the best means of promoting industrial peace, and has to Ire considered in connection with any scheme having that purpose in view. 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 some of the schemes now in operation in the dominion. It must be quite evident that only by more production can more pay be secured, and permanently increased purchasing power obtained. Any system adopted must, however, provide absolute protection for the employer, and (his can best be secured by the employers and workers concerned agreeing as to the basis of payment. It is believed that a system of payment by results will be found applicable to many manufacturing and other classes of business, and would have 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. The adoption of any such system, however, requires the reasonable cooperation of the trade's unions, which would involve full recognition by (he employers of trades union organisations, and agreement by those unions to the principle of payment by results with no limitation of output in the factories and workshops of the dominion. The adoption of some such system would also encourage the setting up of workshop committees, and the settlement of purely local matters of difference by agreement on many points without infringing in any way upon any award or agreement governing the industry. It must be apparent, however, that it is not by the adoption of any particular system nr sysf-ems of work that industrial peace will be attained. That can only be secured by full recognition by both employers and employees that justice and fair dealing promoted by full and free discussion between employers and their workers is (he only foundation on which industrial peace ran be established.