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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