CONCESSIONS TO EMPLOYEES

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1919, Page 6

CONCESSIONS TO EMPLOYEES

DEPARTURES BY WELLINGTON FIRMS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, August 12. Following the lead given by other firms, Messrs Veiteh and Allen, Wellington, drapers, have announced concessions to their employees. These concessions include !>.;«). p.m. closing, a fortnight's annual holiday on full pay, the continuance of the war bonus, and prizes for suggestions for the improvement of the business. '

The Wellington Woollen Company, which held its annual meeting to-day, is proposing to erect dwellings for its workers and to provide a hostel for young women. The schemes have not taken definite form, but they were announced by the chairman of directors at tlio annual meeting to-day.

The chairman of the Woollen Company talked of profit-sharing schemes without appearing to reach any definite conclusion. He said it was easier for .oldestablished and wealthy private employers to decide' promptly on such a policy than for a public company, with many shareholders, to act.

fahol shrdlu shrdl ushrdlu In adopting such a change, it was essential that a method for maintaining output should he evolved. Many suggestions had been made to that end, and iii England and America' double shifts of six hours a day seemed to be most favored, as that put the strain on the machine and not on the man. Whilst that could be effected where population was larger, it was at present impracticable here in 'New Zealand because of the scarcity of skilled operatives and the disinclination of young New Zealand to undertake work in local industries. Much argument had been used by the workers' unions generally in favor of shorter hours, which were said to givo compensating output, but Mr. Barbe; did r.ut know where ti:e theory had been put into practice successfully, for reports from employers who had adopted shorter hours tentatively did not. sustain the claim. With reduced hours and higher pay there should be some intensification of energy + .o maintain output, so enabling employers to make good their undertakings. Mr. Barber left the subject there, without giving his remarks precise application to the business of bis company.