REARMAMENT PLANS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 153, 25 March 1938, Page 11

REARMAMENT PLANS

Mr. Chamberlain’s Desire To Speed Up Work TRADES UNION ATTITUDE (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, March 23. A statement issued at the conclusion of a meeting between the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, the Minister for Co-ordination of Defence, Sir Thomas Inskip, and members of the general council of the Trades Union Congress recorded that Mr. Chamberlain informed the delegation that the Government felt obliged to arrange for a further degree of acceleration of the defence programme. It would be for the leaders of the different sections of industry, employers and employees, to discuss ways in which they could together best give the Government the assistance needed. The proper way in which any necessary discussion should be arranged would be between the employers and the trade unions concerned in the particular section of industry affected. Mr. Chamberlain said that his object in meeting the general council was to ask them for their goodwill and help and to express his confidence that with their knowledge of the issues at stake they would accede to his request. The general council, it is understood, will give Mr. Chamberlain’s important, statement its very careful consideration at the earliest possible date. To Meet Employers. Mr. Chamberlain has invited the National Confederation of Employers’ Organisations to meet him on the same subject. A Press Association cablegram from London reports that the “Daily Herald” says that the Prime Minister backed up the urgent appeal to the trade unions for “goodwill help” in connection with defence acceleration with facts and figures showing that the dilution of crafts by the introduction of unskilled and semi-skilled labour is improbable but that proposals arc likely to be made for the transfer of skilled workers from one class or grade of work to another, and also for help in transferring workers from one area to another. Employers are likely to be asked to pool their efforts. The “Daily Mail” states that the Ministers wish that 100,000 more men shall be employed in rearmament and double shifts introduced. The Parliamentary correspondent of “The Times” states that trade union leaders are anxious to deal with the position purely on industrial lines, but that political members of the Labour Party may wish to impose conditions affecting foreign policy. It is believed that the trade union views will prevail. The “News Chronicle” says that Mr. Chamberlain painted a black picture of the international situation.