Evening star., 1919-04-13
CANADA MAY HAVE
INDUSTRY COUNCILS
Plan Is to Give Workers
Voice in Management of :
Corporation.
corr.sponaenee Of The Sunday Star.

CorresponAenee Of The Sunday Star.
OTTAWA, April 10.-The government.
through the minister of labor, Gideon
Robertson, has just announced the ap-
pointment Of Chief Justice Mathers Of
the court Of kings bench, Manitoba. as
Chairman Of a commission to invest-
gate and report upon the feasibility Of
forming Industrial councils throughout
Canada, involving the representation Of
labor upon the directorates Of industries.
This is the most important piece Of
LEGISLATION introduced into the Canadian
parliament for many years. and, as the
government requires the commission to
report before May Is. it is intended to
give during the present session legisla-
tive effect to any recommendations the
commission may make.
Lessons Learned From War.
The experience of the war has con-
vinced the government OF the need for
frequent consultation between the gov
ernment and the chosen representatives
of both employers and workmen on vital
questions concerning those industries
which have been most affected by war
conditions. In number Of cases the
government has found that the absence
of. joint representative bodies which
could speak for their industries as a
whole and. voice the joint opinion of
employers and workmen has rendered
negotiations much more difficult than
they otherwise would have been.
The minister Of labor in making his
announcement in the senate stated
that he was initiating this new policy
as a result Of recent consultations
with the captains Of industry and tha
leaders Of labor. Both. he said. had
indorsed the proposal, and. "as a re-
suit of these conferences" he declared.
"ipstead of parliament or the govern
ment saying to labor or to capital, DO
this or DO that we propose appoint
ing a small commission which VIII ao-
solutely command the confidence of
the pubic, and have them proceed at
once to the centers of industry, sur
vey the situation. get all the facts and
|let US have their recommendations be-
fore May Is. as to Shate should be
done in the interests of both labor and
capital. Upon these recommendations
we propose basing government poll
CIV for the promotion of greater har-
mony in the industrial and labor
world"
Plan to Prevent Strikes.
"rhe government today feels that
what is required is not SO much the
settlement Of strikes and disputes as
their prevention entirely. I am con-
vinced, as q result OF recent converse
tions with industrial and labor lead
ers that complete democracy in our
Industrial life is Just as feasible and
lust as necessary as in our political
life"
It ts the intention Of the govern
ment to follow along the lines laid
down in the Whitley report. which
has been adopted by the British gov
eminent. In this report 1t was point
ed out that in the interests OF the COM
munity it was vital that after he war
the cooperation of all classes. estab-
lished during the war. should con-
tinue. and more especially with regard
to the relations between employers
and employed. For securing improve
ment in the latter it was found essen
tial that any proposals put forward
should offer to employees the means of
attaining improved conditions Of en-
ployment and a higher standard Of
comfort generally, and. at the same
time. involve the enlistment Of Their
active and continuous corporation in
the promotion Of industry.
Council for Each Industry.
To this end It would be necessary
| to establish for each industry an or
eanization, representative of both
employers and employees. having as
| its object regular and frequent con-
sideration of matters affecting the
progress and wellbeing OF the trade
| from the point of view of all those
engaged in it. SO far as is consistent
with the general interest of the COM
munity.
The government here realizes that
| Industrial conditions during the period
need careful handling IL grave dim
oultfes and strained relations are to
be avoided. The precise nature of
the problems to be faced will natural.