BRITISH CRISIS MEASURES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25300, 27 September 1947, Page 9

BRITISH CRISIS MEASURES

MISGIVINGS BY TRADE UNIONS (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON. September 26. “The general council of the Trades Union Congress is not satisfied that various aspects of the crisis plan affect*ing wages are being properly co-ordi-nated,” says “The Times.” The council has noted the appeal by the Prime Minister (Mr Attlee) in his crisis speech that workers should not press for wage increases, and the reminder by the President of the Board of Trade (Sir Stafford Cripps) that production costs have an important bearing on sales of exported goods, but the council is also aware of reports that the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Dr. Hugh Dalton) contemplates reducing the subsidies which are holding down food prices. “Trades unions are not disposed to countenance any freezing of wages if the cost of living is to be increased by the Treasury’s action against inflation.” The “Daily Telegraph” says: “The Cabinet is now actively engaged in planning to counter inflationary tendencies which are threatening as a result of cuts in consumer goods for the home market. The present expectation is that there will be a spate of demands for higher wages when the Government allows foodstuffs to find a more natural price level. Subsidies on at Present cost more than £ 392,000,000 a year.” The British Trades Union Council Attf e ’ a F esolut *n criticising Mr Attlee s crisis speecn, and accusing the government of placing the whole bur*S-?‘ the cns i s on workers, wnile the owning and manufacturing ciasses remain free to increase their Profits.” A spokesman said: “The Government enough on the ability and fcKLH of the worker to run industries. that America is going to gold into the Bank of England is w^s^u l thinking. It is time we 1 ° ur ,eyes away from Wall street towards Europe for a

recommended the Govimpose a capital levy on tho andseek agreements with th e Em Stern Eur °P ean countries and