TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION F. 549 
motion of thrift, (3) the creation of good feeling and a sense of co-ownership. 
Sir George Livesey (late chairman of the South Metropolitan) claimed that the 
scheme paid the masters no less than the men, and had its influence in reducing 
the cost of labour and the price of gas. It is difficult, however, to establish 
exactly this causal connection. The gas industry is peculiar, having a partial 
monopoly of supply and a steady demand. Also its stocks are, in general, not 
speculative. 
In certain cases these schemes have been opposed by the trade-unions. Co- 
partnership makes strikes improbable and (while the copartnership agreement, 
current for three or six months, lasts) punishable under the Conspiracy and 
Property Act of 1875. But the agreements give security to the men also. 
The most powerful ties of copartnership are to be found in the democratic 
machinery by which the scheme is worked. A Copartnership Committee (com- 
posed of the chairman of the board of directors and twenty-six representatives of 
the board and twenty-seven representatives of the copartners) manages the scheme 
and does other valuable work connected with accidents, superannuation, and in- 
surance. Finally, the scheme safeguards the interests of consumers, who are 
peculiarly benefited when they are drawn from a working-class district. 
Municipalities are liable to labour trouble, but copartnership would be difii- 
cult to apply here, owing to the special nature of municipal finance. The 
Stafford Corporation (gas and electricity departments) practises gain-sharing 
only. Copartnership, like syndicalism, emphasises the necessity of a closer 
connection between the worker and his work. But it is doubtful if special 
legislation, favouring copartnership, would be of any value to the movement. 
(v) Conciliation. By Sir Cuartes W. Macara. 
The nature of the Inquiry of the Industrial Council is explained in the 
following ‘terms of reference’ :—- 
(1) What is the best method of securing the due fulfilment of industrial 
agreements ? 
(2) How far, and in what manner, industrial agreements which are made 
between representative bodies of employers and workmen, should 
be enforced throughout a particular trade or district. 
Already two days per week for eight weeks have been devoted to this 
Inquiry ; but as there is still a large number of the representatives of prominent 
industries desirous of giving evidence, it was necessary to adjourn the sittings 
until the middle of October next, 
Had the Inquiry been completed, and the Report presented to Parliament, 
I should have felt at liberty to deal with the subject, which will be discussed at 
your meeting, in a way that, under present circumstances, it is not possible for 
me to do. I may say, however, that the Inquiry, so far, has conclusively 
proved :— 
(1) That when perfect organisation on both sides exists, even though 
eepuiee may occur they are usually settled without a stoppage of 
work. 
(2) That the recent industrial unrest originated with trades not well or- 
ganised, and that the disputes in those trades encouraged unrest 
among some of the well organised. 
Having had twenty years experience in the cotton industry, I have a firm 
belief in making organisation on both sides as complete as possible; and I have 
seized every opportunity of bringing home to the workers the necessity not only 
for harmonious relationships existing between Capital and Labour, but of co- 
operating with the employers in grappling with the problems that confront the 
industries. The solution of these problems is vital to the maintenance of the 
industries, and equally concerns the welfare of Capital and Labour. 
In these directions, in my opinion, lie the removal of industrial unrest, and 
the consequent successful carrying on of the industries of the country. 
As indicating what is done in the cotton industry in the exchange of views 
between employers and workers on matters of vital importance to the industry, 
I may say that all the reports issued by the International Federation of Master 
