WORK AND HAPPINESS

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21583, 20 November 1941, Page 6

WORK AND HAPPINESS

FOSTERING CO-OPERATION OPINIONS OF MANUFACTURERS (Special to Time?) ROTORUA, Wednesday Addresses were given at the annual conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation at Wairakei today by the Minister of Indutries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, and the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb. Tomorrow the conference will be addressed by the Director of National Service, Mr J. S. Hunter. The conference discussed at length means of obtaining a better understanding between employers and employees, following a remit from the Wellington association. This was as follows:—“Believing that a better understanding and the fullest cooperation between employer and employee is in the best interests of the nation, manufacturing industries, and all parties, that it be a recommendation to the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation that a special committee be set up to consider ways and means of—(a) Fostering a spirit of co-opera-tion between the manufacturer and staff. Public Acknowledgment (b) Making a public statement setting out the desire of the Manufacturers’ Federation to give to every factory employee the best possible condition of employment. (c) Providing educational health and recreational facilities for staffs of smaller manufacturers who are unable to provide for these facilities themselves. (d) Keeping manufacturers advised of any new deevlopment schemes or suggestions that will enable manufacturers to improve the efficiency and working conditions of their staff; in short, helping to popularise the manufacturing industries as an avenue to healthful and happy employment.” In Different Camps Mr J. H. Whittaker said that in the past employers and employees had been in different camps and this was not conducive to success in industry. Manufacturers were doing their best to overcome this. The suggestion that a small committee should be set up was made by Mr W. J. Truscott, of Auckland. Mr S. Reid, of Auckland, said it paid a firm handsomely to look alter its employees, as tney gave it all back in service. The president of the Dun-

edin association, Mr J. C. H. Somir- ! viile, said employers should give tneir j staffs the idea mat tney were work- j mg with the firm and not for it. j The need to educate young work- j ers as to tneir responsibilities in in- ! dustry was stressed by Mr J. Hogg, j of Dunedin. Other members agreed. I although it was pointed out tnat it ! was just as necessary to educate the ! employer. Many delegates quoted j examples of efforts made in their own firms to improve relationships, and all expressed keen appreciation of the value of a good staff.