WESTERN FRONT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 7, 20 October 1941, Page 6

WESTERN FRONT

BRITISH AID TO RUSSIA. DEMAND BY MUNITION WORKERS PLEDGE OP INCREASED OUTPUT. (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 19. A conference of shop stewards decided to send a message to Mr Churchill demanding the opening of a western front against Hitler as quickly as possible. The message adds: ‘‘We pledge ourselves to continue our efforts to increase production to a degree . guaranteeing maintenance of such a front, also material aid for our Russian ally.” Proposals designed to speed up production were outlined at the conference, which was attended by 1500 delegates representing 500,000 munition workers. The programme drafted declares that all workers must set the highest example in the duality and speed of their work. There must be no cuts in piecework prices or bonus rates, however high the output. There must be greater interchangeability of labour and pooling of skill and practical knowledge. There should be organisation of volunteer shock workers ready to work in any factory where an extra spurt is needed. Joint production committees should be appointed in every factory. A speaker from Manchester alleged that 1000 labour hours are wasted weekly through lack of actual work. There was also a deplorable absence of intelligent planning. The convenor of the conference (Mr Walter Swanson) said: “Workers in every facory feel a great justifiable'alarm at the Government not pulling its weight alongside Russia. The factories are seething with suspicion that the Government is letting Russia, down or that presence of Halifaxes, Moore-Brabazons and Margassons is the reason there is no second front. We warn the Government that the workers will never allow it to let Russia down. The workers demand that Britain piit as much into the kitty as the Russians and insist on an immediate opening of a second front.”