BRITISH LABOUR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 213, 8 September 1943, Page 3

BRITISH LABOUR

VALUE OF UNIONS

Bevin's Assurance To Workers

At T.U.C. Conference

British Official Wireless Rec. noon. RUGBY, Sep. 7. Referring to the suppression of trade union organisations in Germany, Mr. Ernest Bevin, Minister of Labour, speaking to the Trades Union Congress at Soutnport, said: "I claim that British labour and British men, both in fighting and working, produced far greater results by maintaining these great unions and co-operative elements than any nation can accomplish by their destruction. I hope that, out of this war. this great movement will arise stronger and more virile and be prepared to accept greater responsibility — and exercise more I discipline, if I may say so." Referring to the good work done by the women of Britain, the Minister gave the assurance that once the needs of war were met, labour and raw materials would be released, even if the war was not ended, to help ease the difficulties of the home front. The Government had ■ tried to maintain self-Government in industry Mr Bevin stated, whether owned by the State or by private people "You need to maintain those principles of self-government m industry" he feaid, adding: "Another principle which the Government accepted is that the principle of service should be the criterion of demobilisation-" To the eiris and boys called to the forces, Mr. Bevin said that the Government was determined to do all it could by them and to assist them to fill the gaps, when they came back, with regard to education and training- "The Government is engaged, too, upon the task of plannin°" to prevent mass unemployment rising again," he concluded.