AFTER THE WAR

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 42, 18 February 1918, Page 7

AFTER THE WAR

INDUSTRIAL RECONSTRUCTION

INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE

COUNCIL.

LONDON, 16th February. Lord Burnham presided at the inaugural meeting of the Industrial Reconstruction Council.

Dr. Addison (Minister for -Reconstruction), in an address, stated that the governing consideration of asl reconstruction matters was the increased production of wealth. Towards this employers and employers must co-operate. There must be industrial peace, for which it was essential that employers should join' the 'Employers' Association and the workmen should join the trade unions. These would be asked to form a. joint council. The different industries had been invited to form councils, which would advise on matters respecting materials, scientific research, housing, and other needs, and how to reduce the margin of unemployment. Mr. G. H. Roberts; (Minister of Labour) stated that Labour would never be content to return to the depressed and depraved pre-war conditions as mere wage-earners. Employers must get rid of their objections to high wages. There must be no limit on the workmen's capacity and output. He protested against deluding the workers with the belie? that a ready-made Utopia would be found. - The gradual modification of the existing order was the only sure way to progress.

■ Mr. Ernest Bevin, speaking for the working classes, said that ' Labour for years had been asking for the machinery suggested in the Right Hon. Mr. J.. H. Whiteley's report (on the cotton spinners' conditions). Labour declined to make up the deficit due to the war, and wanted to know whether it would have a vested, interest in the surplus production, which \ymld permit, home control of prices.