INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25089, 22 January 1947, Page 7

INDUSTRY IN BRITAIN

Position Very Serious NEED FOR HIGHER PRODUCTION (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. January 20. The Government White Paper on economic considerations affecting relations between employers and workers describes Britain’s industrial position as extremely serious. It states .that the country must produce more or risk lowering the present living standards. Employers and union representatives on the National Joint Advisory Council have endorsed the White Paper’s views, which the Government is promulgating to all employers and workers.

The document states that industry can ensure production by using all the manpower that can be mustered, particularly for essential supplies, and, while costs and prices are steady, by raising the per capita output without prejudicing earnings. Increases in wages since the war began approximate £1,200,000.000 annually, and the Government hopes to stabilise these gains as a permanent advance in real wages. “We must, and very auickly, begin to maintain and seek to improve living standards entirely by our own efforts,” says the White Paper. “We must soon begin to repay some of the external borrowing which will enable us to maintain the existing standards. A speedy, substantial increase in British industrial output, with the maintenance of quality, is highly imperative. That policy requires improved efficiency and productivity, for which industrial management and workers alike, as well as the- Government, are responsible. “There is far more work than there are men and women to do it. Britain’s working population on November 30, 1946, was 20,324,000. or 270,000 above June -30, 1939, and it included 4,985,000 in the forces, auxiliary services, service supply, manufacture, national and local government services, entertainment, and sport, which is 815,000 above June 30. 1939. The balance of workers on November 30. 1946, was thus 15.339,000. which is a decrease of 241,000 on June 30, 1939. There were 1.440,000 making exports on November 30. 1946. which is 500,000 below requirements. There will be an over-all labour shortage for years. “Britain can only pay for imports, which are 70 per cent, on 1939. by using the American and Canadian loans, which gave her a short breathing space. We must make sure that on price and quality we can sell the goods. The rise in production costs may make it impossible to pay our way and buy all the imports we need.

“The country needs increased production per annum as well as per hour. The Government is doing everything possible to minimise the danger of depressions abroad, and is preparing to counteract any home depression.

“Apart from these dangers, a high demand is likely for British products in the foreseeable future, and prolonged bad trade unemployment should be a thing of the past if prices are right. Employers and workers must do everything nossible to increase production. Anything less than high production endangers full employment. The Government will prevent unregulated increases in the prices of essential goods. Industry must steady the cost of production, man essential undermanned industries, and. above all. increase production.”