CONDITIONS IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 23880, 9 May 1941, Page 10

CONDITIONS IN BRITAIN

ADDRESS BY MR WILLIAM HOLMES ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON Mr William Holmes, immediate past president of the Trades Union Congress of Great and general secretary of tho National Union of Workers in the United Kingdom, was the guest of honour at the Rotary Club luncheon, yesterday afternoon, the vice-president (Rotariau N. R. AUlsaae) presiding over a largo gathering. Tho visitors also included the Minister of Labour (Hon. P. C. Webb), the mayor (Air A. H. Allen) and the Hon. W. Dowuie Stewart. “ Our people from the hjghcst to tho lowest arc in good heart.” said AllHolmes, in opening his address, which covered a general survey of conditions at Home. He said he had been asked by members of the trades unions to convey a message to the people of New Zealand that, whatever their troubles, trials, and tribulations, they were going to stand together until they saw this tiling through to victory. Air Ijohnes said it had been a wrench to have to face up to the fact that they might have to fight for liberty again. When it loomed in tho distance, they had to consider what policy they were going to adopt in their industrial relationships While not claiming 'anything beyond that they ought to Jitconsulted, the trades unions knew that if they were to get their country on a proper basis of defence they had to carry tho working people in a body with them in any step they took. They rearranged their policy and met tho Government ami employers when legislation was being prepared which affected the workers in workshops, factories, fields, or mines, and nine times out of ten they came to a united decision, and that was why they were able to carry the public with them in this great fight for liberty and for maintaining our way of life. Air Holmes said there had been some little difficulties, but they had been infinitesimal in comparison with the great co-operative effort the employers, employees, and Government are making to avert defeat and to win a great victory. Referring to the co-operation between employers and employees, Mr Holmes said that before any extension of hours could bo granted a Government inspector consulted with, trades union representatives and the employers, and then reported to the Government, who called the parlies together very quickly and then reached a decision. Ho said that in London hours had actually been shortened, btci-mse it was very early found necessary to allow people to get home in daylight; but their wages had not been cut down It was true, lie said, that they had had their liberties curtailed in the three great industries of agriculture, shipbuilding, and engineering, but this had been done with the agreement of the working people themselves under the circumstances. Arrangments had been made whereby men had to stay iu employment where they were unless they or an employer could prove there was a greater necessity for them somewhere else. An appeal could be made, however, to a council of referees comprising an employer, a trades union representative, and a lawyer. “ We are under a big cloud in England at present,” said Air Holmes, and, referring to his six months’ experience of bombing raids, he said he had had the roof of his home blown off and a car destroyed which had taken him 20 years to obtain; “but it doesn’t matter,” he added. “I hope and believe we are going to be successful and not only save liberty for ourselves, but save "liberty and democracy for the rest of the world.” A vote of thanks to the speaker was moved hv Rotation J. S. Sinclair, and was carried by acclamation.