New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-04-13
Commission Is Named to
Investigate Advisability
of Industrial Councils
TO Recommend Rulings
Labor To BE Represented
Separate Boards Are to
Act in Classified Groups
If Scheme Is Adopted

SDsrlrl Correspondence
OTTAWA, April 12.-The govern
rent. through the Hon. Gideon Robert
soo Minister Of Labor, has Just an
rounced the appointment of Chief Jus
+;co Nathers OF the Court of Kings
Bench, Manitoba, as chairman of
commission to investigate and report
unon the feasibility of forming indus
trial councils throughout Canada, in
volvinc the representation of labor
mon the directories of industries.
The government requires the COM
mission to report before May Is, and it
is intended to give legislative effect
during the present session Of Parlia-
uent to any recommendations the COM
mission may make.
The experience Of the war has con-
vinced the government of the need for
frequent consultation between the gov
ernment and Nthe chosen representa-
,ives Of both employers and workmen
on vital questions concerning those in
dustries which have been most affected
hv war conditions. In number of
ssses the government has found that
the absence of joint representative
bodies which could speak for their in
dustries as q whole and voice the Joint
opinion Of employers and workmen has
rendered negotiations much more diff
ficult than they otherwise would have
been.
The Minister of Labor in making his
announcement to the Senate stated
that he was initiating this new policy
as result Of recent consultations
with the captains of industry and the
leaders of labor.
viii Have Public Confidence
Both, he said, had Endorsed the pro-
posal, and "as result of that con-
ference" he declared. "instead of Par
lament or the government saying to
labor or to capital DO this or DO
that we propose appointing a small
commission which will absolutely COM
mand the confidence of the public and
have them proceed at once to all the
centres of industry, survey the situa-
ton, get all the facts and let us have
their recommendations before May Is
as to what should be done in the in
terests OF both labor and capital.
Upon these recommendations we pro-
pose baslng a government policy for
the promotion OF greater harmony in
the industrial and labor world.
"The government to-day feels that
what is required is not so much the
settlement of strikes and disputes as
vinced as result Of conversations
with industrial and labor leaders that
complete democracy in our industrial
life is just as feasible and Just as
necessary as In our political Nfe."
To Follow Whitley Report
It IS the intention of the govern
ment TO follow along the lines laid
down IN the Whitley report, which has
been adopted by the British govern
ment. In this report II was pointed
out that i'm the interests of the COM
munity 1t was vital that after the war
the cooperation OF all classes estab-
hshed during the war should continue.
ana more especially with regard to the
relation between employers and en-
ployed.
For securing Improvement in the lat
Ter 1t WAS found essential that any
proposal put forward should offer to
employees the means Of attaining i'm
proved conditions Of employment and
hisner standard OF comfort generally,
ana at ~ same time involve the enlist
Acit OF rhc.r active and cCntinous CO.