Welsh Journals

larger place in industry, and we strongly urge that efforts be made without delay to bring about a readjustment of relations by peaceful means rather than to subject the nation to internal strife at a time when all her energies should be concentrated on the important work of reconstruction." This preliminary statement of the point of view of the Commissioners is necessary in order that the reader may understand why they put forward recommendations of so controversial a character as those which have aroused such intense hostility not only from the coalowners and other employers of labour, but also from the extreme elements among the workers themselves. Political development in this country has pro- ceeded from absolute monarchy to limited monarchy and representative government, and may ultimately lead to republicanism. Each stage of the journey has been marked by an increase in the controlling power of the people. A similar movement is taking place in industry. The power of Capitalism has during recent years been limited on the one hand by the growth of Trade Unionism, and on the other by the increase of State control. The theory of the Manchester School of industrialists-the doctrine of unrestricted competition-has been overthrown, and the workers to-day are pressing forward towards Industrial Democracy. Employers are fighting to retain in their hands the control of industry. The workers on their hand-or at any rate the more revolutionary element-are seeking to win such control for themselves. One section-the Syndi- calists or Industrial Unionists-desire to own and control through their Trade Unions. Another section-Guild Socialists-desire the State to own, but that the Trade Unions should control. The question of ownership has become quite secondary in the minds of the advanced men amongst the Welsh miners to that of control. The great aim is that the workers should have a status in the industrial polity, and that they should be in a position to wield economic power irrespective as to who owns. The owner naturally desire to retain the control of their undertakings in their own hands the revolutionary workers are hoping to transfer the control from the employers to themselves. The interests are in direct conflict. The Commissioners had exceptional opportunities of observing tenden- cies. They saw that the men were determined to obtain control and that the owners were determined to resist, and that the conflict would probably take place at a time when in the interests of the nation it was highly desirable that there should be industrial peace. Could not the conflict between Capital and Labour be avoided, and if so by what means ? Was there no compromise between the two opposing claims ? To the task of finding a way out of the difficulty the Commissioners addressed themselves with great earnestness and with every desire to do justice to the opposing parties. They had for their guidance a Report on Joint Standing Industrial Councils, prepared by a Cabinet Sub-Committee, presided over by the Right Hon. J. H. Whitley, M.P. This Report proposes that there should be set up in each industry bodies representing employers and em- ployed for individual works, for districts, and for the country as a whole. The general objects of this tripartite organisation would be to establish better relations between employers and employed, and to bring in Labour as a partner in the control of the industry. The Whitley Report mentions a number of questions affecting industry that might be dealt with by these joint bodies. Of these the following may be reproduced here The better utilisation of the practical knowledge and ex- perience of the workpeople." Means for securing to the workpeople a greater share in the responsibility for the determination and observance of the conditions under which their work is carried on." Means for ensuring to the work-people the greatest possible security of earnings and employment, without undue restric- tion upon change of occupation or employer." The proposals of the Whitley Report seemed to the Commissioners to offer a possible way out of the difficulty, and they sought the opinions of a number of individual witnesses and organisations, both on the employers' side and the workers' side as to the practicability of the scheme. The replies on the whole were favourable, and the Commissioners then decided to adopt the main principles underlying the Whitley Report. This Report, it may be men- tioned, was signed by, amongst others, Sir Thomas Radcliffe-Ellis, Secretary of the Mining Association of Great Britain, and Mr. Robert Smillie, President of the Miners' Federation, and its proposals have been endorsed by numerous employers of labour as well as by leading economists. Its recommendations were also generally endorsed by each of the seven other Commissions on Unrest. That unanimity of approval is a striking testimony to their fairness and practical wisdom. The recommendations of the Welsh Unrest Commissioners are in harmony with the Whitley Report. The Commissioners think that Capital should make certain concessions to Labour, and that Labour should modify its demands for full control of the industry. The Commissioners appeal for a new spirit of partnership between Capital and