CAPITAL AND LABOR

Evening Star, Issue 19764, 14 January 1928, Page 5

CAPITAL AND LABOR

PEACE IN INDUSTRY LONDON CONFERENCE OPENS PROBLEMS FOR CONSIDERATION. Pres? Association- By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 12. Employers and trade unionists met at Burlington House. An official statement says that Sir Alfred Mend, who was elected chairman, pointed out that the employers did not represent organisations, but were there in an individual capacity .They realised the aspirations and positions of their copartners in industry, whether in workroom, factory, or railway shop, and they did not desire to destroy trade unions. Outlining the problems, he said it was essential to examine the better organisation of industries by amalgamation, nationalisation, and the introduction oi new processes, and technical administrative methods involving the transferring, compensating, and pensioning of displaced workers. It was also necessary to improve the workers’ status and "security, and to abolish the conventional idea that a factory hand was less important than an office worker. Social questions requiring consideration included rousing, health, and unemployment insurance schemes, and industrial education.

Other points for consideration were methods to ensure tne workers’ interest in industrial prosperity, apart from wages, and the .creation of a standing committee for periodical consultation on industrial matters. Such investigation would be prolonged. The problems, though complex did not represent insuperable difficulties. They could not expect to create a new heaven on earth, but if they ensured freedom from industrial disputes and eommonsense, humane treatment of the problems they would place Britain, which had always been the leader in such matters, in the forefront.

Sir Alfred Mond added that the employers had formed a committee to facilitate tho work. He himself was chairman, and among those on the committee were Lords Londonderry, Ashfield, and Weir. Mr Ben Turner (chairman of the Trades Union Congress) replying, pointed out that neither fide was able to implement the proposals, but the Trade Union Congress claimed a certain moral authority. It could convene national congresses, to which tho proposals cculd be submitted. The Trades Union Congress would appoint a committee to meet the employers A general discussion followed, after which the_ conference adjourned. An official report states that both sides aro certain that beneficial results will be the outcome of the proceedings, which wore characterised by frankness, goodwill, and harmony. Mr A. J. Cook _ struck the only jarring note, shouting and thumping the table in an impassioned speech. The conference listened quietly, and ignored tho outburst, except one employer, and Mr Cook came out from the conference shouting: “The whole thing is an absolute farce. I declared that co-opera-tion and goodwill are impossible while the workers are victimised.’’ Mr Citrine (secretary of the Trades Union Congress) deprecates separate statements regarding the conference, and denies Mr Cook’s allegation that trades unionists disgracefully attacked him.

FIRST DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. RUGBY, January 13. (Received January 14, at 10.30 a.m.) At yesterday’s conference on industrial co-operation, on the proposal of Mr Ben. Turner (leader of the Trades Union Council), Sir Alfred Mond (of the employers’ group) occupied tho chair, it being arranged that Mr Turner should preside at tho next meeting, and that' the chair should he occupied subsequently by Sir Alfred Mond and Mr Turner alternately. After yesterday’s meeting Mr Turner described the employers’ proposals as exceedingly comprehensive, and said that the trade unions would accept them for discussion with unanimity.