WAR INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 59, 7 September 1945, Page 8

WAR INDUSTRY

EMERGENCY COUNCIL

NOW DISBANDED

The disbandment of the Industrial Emergency Council was announced today by the Prime Minister (Ma1. Fraser), who said the council was one of the most important set up to promote the Dominion's war effort.

Immediately on the outbreak of war in September, 1939, said Mr. Fraser, emergency regulations were gazetted giving the Minister of Labour power to suspend the provisions of any Act, award, or industrial agreement relating to conditions of employment in order to facilitate the effective conduct of emergency operations arising out of the war. The Minister of Labour (Mr. Webb) decided to appoint a body of men representing as far as possible the best minds and with the best knowledge of industrial, and labour conditions to advise him on matters coming within the scope of his office and arising out of the state of■ emergency. ■• The Industrial Emergency Council, comprising nine representatives of workers and nine representatives of employers, thus came into being and since September, 1939, had met once every month or more frequently as occasion required. Committees were set up to investigate matters before they were finally dealt with by the council. ■ . , , Mr. Webb was to be congratulated on his decision to set up the council, for events had demonstrated that it became necessary to provide for many changed conditions, such as occupat'cnal re-establishment of men returned from military set vice, provision for working shifts, extensions of ordinary hours in certain industries, reduction of overtime and holiday payment, employment of females to replace men in industries, and a considerable number of important modifications of Acts and- awards to facilitate the war effort. Altogether, 102 orders were issued and in every case were unanimously endorsed and recommended by the council. NO PARTISAN SPIRIT. Mr. Fraser paid a tribute to the workers' organisations who co-operat-ed to relax many provisions in their awards arid agreements gained after many years of struggle. The manner in which the council functioned had been an inspiration. Effective production during the war period depended largely upon an atmosphere of confidence and spirit of co-operation, and the collaboration between workers and employers that emanated from the deliberations of the council had done much to assure a united effort towards a common objective, a successful war effort. "For all this," added the Prime Minister, "the Government extends to the members of the council its warmest thanks, especially as it may now be disclosed that members gave their services in an entirely honorary capacity." The original members of the council were:—Employers: The Hon. T. O. Bishop, Messrs. W. Marshall, A. C. Mitchell, A. Rowlands, A. W. Nisbet, H. J. Knight, S. Holm, A. P. O'Shea. C. M. Turrell. Workers: Hon. A. McLagan, Hon. R. Eddy, Hon. F. G. Young, Messrs. F. D. Cornwell, J. Roberts, F. P. Walsh, W. R. Clarke, R. A. Brookes, A. Black. Changes have taken place in the personnel since the setting up of the council, and the following have also acted on the council for various periods:—Messrs. C. G. Camp, C. I. Macdonald, S. Thompson, D. Stalker, A. W. Croskery, P. E. Warner. John Roberts.

Mr. Webb was chairman, but in his absence Mr. Bishop acted as chairman and also as chairman of the two standing committees. Members of the council were the guests of Mr. Webb at morning tea today. The Prime Minister and Mr. Webb thanked the council for its work, and there were replies by Mr. Bishop and other members of the council.