Plan For Industrial Peace Takes Shape In Britain

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27709, 13 July 1955, Page 13

Plan For Industrial Peace Takes Shape In Britain

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, July 12. The outlines of a plan for industrial peace in Britain are emerging from the talks among the Government and the leaders of industry and trade unions.. The political correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” said today that the idea of legislative action had been rejected by all the parties, but consideration had been given to a declaration of at least three basic principles. Though none of the precepts would have statutory force, it was felt they would be a powerful restraining influence if both the employers and unions subscribed to them, the correspondent said.

The principles are: Under no circumstances would a strike or lockout be declared until all the established machinery of negotiation had been exhausted. The Minister of Labour would be notified ‘‘reasonably in advance” of a threatened strike or lockout to enable him to take any conciliatory action thought desirable before the parties take up positions from which they might find it difficult to retire. Procedure to be set up—less cumbersome than a court of inquiry—so that the facts of an industrial dispute could be established impartially.