LABOUR’S PART

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 157, 29 March 1941, Page 12

LABOUR’S PART

War Effort Of Great Britain THE COMMON PURPOSE Privileges In Custody Of State (British Official Wireless.) (Received March 28. 7.50 p.m.) RUGBY, March 27. “At this time wc have brought into being a National Government which rests as on’e of strength on the trade union organization of this country,” said the president of the Trades Union Congress in welcoming the United States Ambassador, Mr.Winant. “Some differences have occurred from time to time,” he said, “but everyone knows that the employers of this country are deeply thankful that there is in existence a strong organized trade union movement with which they can deal, which keeps its bargains and which moves along a strongly controlled and stable path of policy. “We have not asked a great deal of labour but the trade union movement has willingly agreed in this war to the temporary suspension of privileges which it has taken generations to win. These privileges have, as it were, been handed over to the custody and keeping of the State for the .common purpose. Without that we should not have been able to produce under the severe conditions of the enemy’s fire the enormous output of munitions of all kinds which were needed if we were to let our soldiers, sailors and airmen meet the enemy on even terms of equipment. “It is a matter of honour for the whole country that th; privileges which the trade unions have surrendered should be restored when this crisis has passed away unless some better arrangement can be made. Building a New Society.

“I have always been shy of defining war aims but. of course, no one can suppose that if those great communities struggling, not only for their own lives but also for the freedom and progress of the world, emerge victorious there will not be an electric atmosphere in the world under which it will be possible to advance toward greater and broader social unity and justice than could otherwise have been achieved in a score of years. “We are not theorists and not doctrinaires. Trade unionists are prac tical men aiming at practical results, t might say our aims will be to build a society in which there will be wealth end culture but in which wealth shall not prey on commonwealth nor culture develop into clash.” In reply, Mr. Winant said : “Strength, understanding and leadership is making itself felt more and more day by day. It already has enabled you to re slst what no slave or regimented people could ever resist. It will bring you to total victory.”