INCREASED production

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 42, 12 May 1927, Page 3

INCREASED production

AMERICA’S LABOUR POLICY ELIMINATION OF WASTE By Cable. —press Association. —Copyright NEW YORK, Tuesday. The Press was excluded from a conference between the Australian Industrial Mission and representatives of the New York industries, but it has been ascertained that an interesting discussion took place on production. One of the American labour representatives stated that if workers devoted their lives to a particular industry they should concern themselves with its production. An employers’ representative said that if the trades unions would offer their labour as “goods on shelves” and stand behind them a great advance would be possible. Mr. Hugh Frayne, general organiser of the Federation of Labour, New York, said his federation stood for increased production, increased efficiency and the elimination of waste.

Mr. Gustav Geiges, representing the Hosiery Workers’ Federation of Philadelphia, also outlined a policy of increased production. Mr. Noel Sargent, manager of the Industrial Relations Association of Manufacturers, said Messrs. Frayne and Geiges had expressed nice sentiments, but there was not much evidence of their policy.

Mr. Campbell (Australian employers) said that when the mission arrived in America it was refreshing to hear the unions advocate increased production, but there was little evidence of production. Mr. Frayne said these things were on the federation’s platform as something to be attained, but it took a long time to put them into operation. The question was raised whether the Manufacturers' Association would recognise the unions and make collective bargains if the unions adopted a policy of increased production. Mr. Sargent replied in the negative. He explained that the principle which was really the basis of all institutions was freedom of action and contract. — A. and N.Z.