PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT

Evening Star, Issue 25956, 22 November 1946, Page 8

PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT

BRITISH POSITION OVER-SIMPLIFIED LONDON, November 21. “ The decisive test of any Government’s policy is a large and regular output of goods and services, said ‘ The Times ’ in a leader on the Opposition’s case against the Government’s domestic programme. It added that Mr Harold MacMillan’s suggestion that the problem of production has now ” replaced ” the problem of unemployment is a serious over-simpli-fication. The shortage of man power in relation to the essential national tasks which Britain now faces is in itself no insurance whatsoever against/ a general depression or against local unemployment due to maldistribution of industry or labour. Full employment is the first condition of the policy for output The second condition is to secure by reequipment, reorganisation, and redistribution of resources that work done throughout industry shall be fully productive. The third condition is to provide means of payment for indispensable imports. _ “ Mr Morrison m the debate did not blink the obvious political implications of the Government’s failure to ensure full employment, productive efficiency, and overseas solvency,” continues the leader. “He indeed spoke rather plaintively of the people’s great expectations while the loss, damage, and dislocation of the war period have still to be repaired. Mr Morrison dwelt on the way in which the so-called production drive is now being pressed by various methods of publicity and consultation into every major industry and the industrial area, including coalfields. He was at great pains to insist that the campaign was based on actual facts and . requirements, but he disclosed very few facts. to the House.”