AN INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23536, 14 January 1942, Page 9

AN INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL

ADVICE FOR AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT (OC.) SYDNEY, December 30. An Australian Industrial Relations Council which will begin functioning this week aims to bring industrial peace and to step-up war production. The council will comprise eight representatives each of employers and employees with a Federal Minister as chairman. A deputy-chairman will be appointed, probably Mr Justice Webb, the Chief Justice of the Queensland Supreme Court. The council was recommended by a conference at Canberra of leading members of the Federal Cabinet. Arbitration Court Judges. Conciliation commissioners, and representatives of employers’ and employees’ organisations. The importance of the council which will not discuss questions of political policy, was emphasised by the Prime Minister, Mr Curtin, in opening the conference. “Australia must change from industrial practices it has known to those it now needs,” he said. ‘We ask you to advise us so that when the Government makes its own decisions it will not make mistakes if they can be avoided. They will be decisions we will insist upon being observed, it would be an entire misreading pf the requirements of Australia if I did not say nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of the transfer from peacetime industrial practices. All those are over-ridden by the stern duty imposed upon us to defend this country against attack. We want industrial machinery examined not so that workers can get more or employers get labour cheaper, but so that munitions can be produced more abundantly. We want to exact the best results, giving fair and reasonable treatment. We do not lack men for the fighting forces, but the men joining them do lack equipment it is our duty to give them. ’ Matters on which the council will advise the Government will include; Improvements in conciliation and arbitration machinery; consolidation of awards; war-time employment of women; transfer of labour, and trade union record on availability of labour and elimination of factory fatigue to maintain maximum production. The council will also advise the Government bn the rationing of cpnsumer goods. Control of the clothing trade to check cornering and ration consumer buying will be one of the first matters on w.hich the Council will be asked to report.