70 II.—PRIVATE FIRMS AND COMPANIES. “ L. M.” writes : — “ Quite satisfactory. There is not the slightest doubt that it “ ‘ promotes harmonious relations between employers and employed “ ‘ and avoids strikes and disputes.’ We have never had any trouble “ with our men since we adopted it. The most important thing is “ that it does away with the perpetual arguing with employees as to “ their remuneration. They know that if business is good their “ salaries rise automatically.” Messrs. John Sadd & Sons, Ltd., timber merchants, write: — “Not altogether satisfactory; in some instances it answers well, but “ it has not brought out any extra effort amongst some of the men; “ but on the whole it tends to promote harmonious relations between “ employers and employed.” The South Suburban Gas Co. refer to a speech by Mr. Charles Hunt, Chairman of the Company, at the Ordinary Half-Yearly General Meeting' of the Company held on February 2, .1912, in which he said : — “ . . . . having regard to the labour unrest in other industries of “ which so much had lately been heard, it was with much satisfaction “ that the Directors were able to report the continued smooth working “ of the Co-partnership system, one of the good effects of which had “ been to increase in a marked degree the intelligent interest on the “ part of the employees of all grades in the success of the Company’s “ operations. The spirit of Co-partnership was, in fact, manifest in “ the accounts before the proprietors. Sir George Livesey was always “ of the opinion that considerable monetary value attached to the “ goodwill of employees; and this value was now being reaped in the “ shape of better carbonizing results, reduction of working costs, and “ zealous attention to the requirements of consumers. In return, the “ employees derived substantial benefit from the annual Bonus to “ which they were entitled under the scheme.” Messrs. H. Ballantyne & Co., woollen manufacturers, write : — “ After nearly 20 years’ experience we have no hesitation in saying “ that our system of Profit-sharing does ‘ call forth extra zeal.’ It is, “ of course, impossible to say how far this goes in recouping us for the “ amount paid in Bonus, but we have no doubt that it does so to a “ considerable extent. It has certainly helped to promote the most “ harmonious relations between us and our employees. The best “ evidence we can give of our belief in its success is our recent decision “ to extend the scheme to all workers in our employment, whether in “ our Innerleithen works or elsewhere.” Messrs. Carr, Lomas & Co., Ltd., mantle manufacturers, write : — “ Partial success only. It has given the Directors the opportunity “ to encourage merit—doubtful if it has conduced to harmonious “ relations as a rule, but the gift of Bonus has generally been “ appreciated.” Messrs. G. W. Chitty & Co., Ltd., flour millers, write: — “We still continue to be quite satisfied with the results of our “ Profit-sharing scheme and have nothing to add to earlier reports.” Messrs. T. Chalmers & Sons, Ltd., paper makers, write : — “ The system continues to work satisfactorily and to our mutual “ advantage.” <£ P. Y.” writes: — “ Certainly. We are satisfied that our system has been an all round “ benefit. J