of a democracy, but on the character of
the act and the spirit which prompts it. A great audience in London
recently heard the true position summed up in few words--I quote Dr.
Campbell Morgan from memory--"It is said we want to make the world safe
for democracy. What we really need is to make democracy safe for the
world."
_C.--INDUSTRIAL PEACE_
CHAPTER X
INDUSTRIAL COUNCILS
_To secure industrial peace on terms just and honourable
to both sides would be to double the national strength
whether in industry or citizenship._--MEMORANDUM OF THE
GARTON FOUNDATION.
Under this head it will be convenient to treat not only of the steps to
be taken to prevent disputes or secure their settlement by peaceful
means, and to promote a more hearty co-operation of employer and
employed, but also of various other questions affecting industry, such,
for example, as increased production and increased saving. Without
industrial peace there will be no industrial or commercial prosperity,
and without a fair amount of prosperity it will be very difficult if not
impossible to preserve industrial peace. As the War proceeds these
questions become more and more urgent; after it, they will be more
serious and more pressing than ever. Already the need for taking certain
steps at once and for preparing a future policy is recognised. Anyone
who wishes to have before him a clear statement of the industrial
situation and of the effects of the War upon it, cannot do better than
read, and read with care, the revised memorandum prepared under the
auspices of the Garton Foundation and published in October, 1916.
Singularly impartial and judicious, it does not gloss over the
difficulties and perils which must be faced, but throughout there is a
note of hopefulness--an anticipation of a better state of things--if
while "the forces of change are visibly at work we do not allow them to
hurry us blindly with them," but "direct them along the path of ordered
progress." Some of the specific remedies suggested, of the proposals
adumbrated, may be open to criticism--criticism is, indeed, invited--but
it is evident that nothing is suggested that has not been the subject of
careful consideration of the facts. Some of the proposals have already
been put into fairly definite form in the Whitley Report, and have
received the approval of the Government. Industrial Councils are to be
established. The object of them will be to
|