The Daily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1919. INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 February 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1919. INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS.

It is very difficult for anyone possessing a well-ordered mind, and sane views on the problems of the day, to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion as to the industrial upheavals that are taking place in Britain. It would be manifestly unfair ':o assume that the mass of workers in the Motherland have been unhinged by the stress of war work and are now in a state of dazed uncertainty as to the future, or in other words that they are caught in the rebound caused by the lifting of the tension which for over four years has been an irresistible force in increasing production. During the war there was a certain amount of compulsion which was inevitable, and the workers received far higher wages than they could have ever thought was possible, even in their wildest dreams of an industrial millenium. If they only gave a moment's intelligent consideration to the altered circumstances during the transition period from high pressure work to the return to normal conditions, they would at once see that it is not possible to secure mgher wages and improved conditions of labor without increasing production. The great drain on the country's resources, the large gaps made in the ranks of the workers by war casualties, the enormous increase in the nation's debt for which interest has to be provided out of taxation, should impress them with the conviction That increased production, which can alone enable the country to recover from the gigantic financial strain caused by the war, is as much, if not more, to their benefit than in the interests of the employers. The one great outstanding lesson of the war is that it was won by organisation. The workers understand the principle of organisation and utilise it for all it is worth in connection with their unions; but there are two kinds of organisation constructive and destructive—and it would seem that the latter is mostly favored at the present time, and with disastrous results. No movement can succeed that is not based on justice, so that for the enginedrivers and firemen to deprive all! other workers of the means of following their employment, or for ihe electrical workers to cut off the supply of current and throw many thousands of loyal artisans out of work is to alienate the sympathy of the people and cause an outcry for the adoption of drastic measures to prevent chaos. The employers have their duties and responsibilities towards the employees. Labor is entitled to fair and humane treatment as regards hours of work, wages, housing, etc., but labor has also its obligations to the community as well as to the individual employers. Wealth lies in production. That is the principle upon which the economic structure is founded, and with increased production it is possible to obtain higher wages and shorter hours, and for that, presumably, the workers are striving. The adoption of Bolshevik tactics will stifle industry and bring the workers to starvation, but a co-operation between employees and employers based on mutual goodwill and confidence would not only achieve increased production, but would ensure the very best results for the workers. The question is how this greatly desired end k to be attained. The democratic idea of nationalising industries does not appear to answer the purpose, for the strike weapon is just as likely to be used against the State as it is against capitalists. An alternative has been suggested that is worthy of serious consideration, namely, the extension of the profit system by the formation of companies of workers to take over the national factories. It has been proved that massed production on a large scale makes for economy, and Sir Eric Geddes has suggested that com- ■ panies of workers should take over 1 the national factories which were 1 constructed for war work and can i readily be adapted to other purposes. There is every reason to ' expect that under expert organisation and management by officers ' directly appointed by the Govern- ! ment, by local managing boards or 1 by firms employed as agents, that < satisfactory results would accrue 1 The original capital would have to ! be provided and controlled, but i the workers would gradually ae- i quire a direct financial interest 1 and free themselves from exploita- ! tion. This would give a direct in- ! centive to increased production i and consequent augmentation of « pi'onls shared by the workers To ' the thrifty, who do not. mind * throwing energy into their work ' so long as they get a fair return d therefor, this system would ap-1,

' peal, but to the time servers, the . itointers and the slow workers cooperation has no attraction, while the careless and discontented prefer to see in its operation a hardship ;o themselves and to others, as well as the prospect of decreasing employment. The fact is that the present trouble is in the nature of a fungoid growth that flourishes under the transition conditions, and possibly may be regarded as a trial of strength while the condition of the labor market is favjorable for an upheaval. Before [ long conditions will have changed and the labor market will be flooded. Instead, therefore, of wasting their organising powers in strikes which seriously affect all classes of the community, the workers would far better be employed in co-operative organising to improve their future welfare and assist in the reconstruction process ,so necessary after the war. InI dustrial revolutions are bound to recoil on the heads of those who are led away by mischievous propagandists and agitators. There is far more to be got by promoting increased production than by throttling industry. There are certain economic laws that must be obeyed if the people are to be prosperous m& contented, and the law of production ts one of the foremost.