74 II.—PRIVATE FIRMS AND COMPANIES. 53 cases, in only two instances (Nos. 61 and 71) is it stated that the results hoped for were not obtained, while in five others (Nos. 62, 66, 69, 79, and 111) it is observed that the results were on the whole satisfactory, but that the good influence of the methods adopted did not extend to the whole of the employees— a more or less considerable proportion of whom remained un responsive. In three cases (Nos. 87, 104, and 106) the employers express only a moderate degree of satisfaction with the results obtained, but in the great majority of instances* their satisfaction with the effect produced by the adoption of Profit-sharing and Co-partner ship is entirely unqualified, and in some of these cases they ex press a very high degree of appreciation. As examples showing the terms in which this appreciation is expressed, may be quoted the replies of three of these firmst: — “ 0. N.,” worsted and cotton manufacturers, write: — “ 1st. Simply as a money making plan we should not say that tlio “ scheme has paid us, but this was not the chief reason for its intro- “ duction. “ 2nd. We think our workers put forth extra zeal and are more “ interested in their work and the place generally and more anxious “to do good work. “ 3rd. Yes, we think there is no question that the plan has tended “ to promote harmonious relations between ourselves and our work- “ people. We have never had any strikes or lock-outs either before or “ since we started profit-sharing, but the last few years have been “ exceptional. We have had a six weeks’ strike in our nearest “ town, three miles away, but there was no suggestion of unrest among “ our people. We think there is not much of the suspicion and “ distrust between ourselves and our workers that seems to prevail, and “ that the interests of Capital and Labour are not antagonistic but “ have much in common.” The Prudential Assurance Company, Limited, writes: — “ The Profit-sharing scheme has proved eminently satisfactory and “ has been greatly appreciated by the staff. “ The Company has never been troubled by strikes, and it is doubtful “ whether any other similar large body of men (over 20,000) could be “ found to show the same consistent degree of loyalty. “ The Profit-sharing scheme -was not needed for the purpose of main- “ taining the general loyalty and zeal, but at the same time, the “ annual distribution of a share of the profits undoubtedly enables the “ Company to show its appreciation of the untiring efforts of a hard- “ working staff which they are anxious to suitably reward.” The General Manager of the Bournemouth Gas and Water Com pany writes: — “ We are thoroughly satisfied with the operation of the scheme, and “ I am fully satisfied from the obvious interest taken in their work “ by the employees generally and by practical instances that it would “ not be wise to mention in detail, that the result of the scheme is to “ create and cement conditions of mutual interest, cordiality, and “ goodwill which cannot be obtained by any other existing system with “ which I am acquainted.” * Nos. 63, 65, 67, 68, 70, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 105, 109, 110, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116,117,118,119. ’’’’’’’’ t See also the opinions expressed by Firm No. 65 (Messrs. John Knight, Limited), pp. 53 and 54, and by Firm No. 103 (Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited),