POST-WAR WORKING CONDITIONS

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 23, 21 October 1944, Page 7

POST-WAR WORKING CONDITIONS

British Unions’ Policy LONDON, October 19. The Trades Union Congress at its annual conference at Blackpool adopted a resolution stating that it was the policy of the congress to secure a 40-hour week throughout industry at the earliest practical date, and that two weeks’ annual holiday with pay should be provided by legislation. Both reforms should be brought into operation as soon as possible after the war, and the Government should urge the application of these principles throughout the world by their inclusion in the peace settlement. Another resolution urged the immediate transfer to public ownership and control of industries vitally important to the life and well-being of the community, notably the transport, fuel, power aud iron mid steel industries. The congress drew attention to the danger of cartels and asked the Government to appoint a commission to inquire into their activities. It also advocated the release of all Indian political prisoners, and instructed the general council to send a delegation to India to study labour problems and establish a firm relationship with the organized Labour movement in India. _ A motion asking the general council to launch a weekly T.U.C. journal designed to command popular support was withdrawn. The general secretary. Sir Walter Citrine, opposing the motion, said that some time ago they had long experience in trying to run a daily newspaper, and the circulation never reached more than 250.(100. They also tried Io run a weekly called (lie “New Clarion.” “Not Free To Comment.” “We very soon found out the inevitable where an official journal is concerned,” lie said. “No ollieial journal is free to comment, ami it cannot be, because the moment it singles out sometiling—however good-natured the criticism—then at once wc have protests.’ He added that the “Daily Herald” had cost them £500,000 aud the “New Clarion” a large sum. He did uot think congress would be wise to commit itself to publish the suggested journal till it had had an adequate opportunity to examine how it was to be done. The mover, Mr. B, Roberts, of the National Union of Public Employees, said Sir Walter Citrine’s speech was most depressing. “This weekly journal,” be said, “will lie an effective antidote to any attempt of tlie Press lords to mislead the public about congress proceedings. It will be an effective instrument to break any boycott and will give an excellent opportunity to those members of the general council who tire silent iu the public Press to spread themselves over the pages of a journal which I hope the congress will ultimately publish,”