GRIM DAYS FOR BRITISH PEOPLE

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 February 1947, Page 7

GRIM DAYS FOR BRITISH PEOPLE

Government’s Sharp Loss Of Prestige [N.Z.P.A. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT] (Reed. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 12. For each day that Britain is subjected to electricity cuts, the country’s economic system will be affected for about one month. That is one estimate of the cost of the present crisis. It gives some indication of the blow to British recovery and, even though it may subsequently be revised on a more optimistic note, nobody doubts the serious results with which Britain is going to be faced.

Probably one of the most irritating features of the present situation is that nobody has a clear idication of how long it will last. The weather forecasts give no ray of hope and the biting wind which returned abruptly after the brief thaw is bitter emphasis of the gravity of the situation. White, goose-fleshed faces in the streets and, indeed in many homes and offices where heating is inadequate during the hours of the cut, are a reflection of the face of Britain itself. There is a general mood of irritation and though reports from all quarters indicate that the discomforts are being met stoically, they also state that the Labour Government’s prestige has been sharply affected. While the situation from a national point of view is grave enough, the effect of unemployment and the thinned pay packets and unemployment relief is also going to be serious in many homes. Though it seems that the question has yet to be decided whether the workers rendered idle are to be paid by their employers, hundreds of thousands have already received notice. Many firms are keeping on minimum staffs, some are paying for a 34-hour week and others have promised that every employee who promptly returns to work on the factory resuming normal production will receive a reemployment bonus. Some are keeping all their employees on the payroll. But in several areas where arrangements have not been made for employees to sign the unemployment register at their place of work, many are reporting to the unemployment bureaux. Loss of Incomes Normally, unemployed become due for unemployment pay after three days out of work. This period will be covered for many by the period of notice given by the firms. For this week, it is stated, the most a man can receive from the labour exchange is one day’s pay. It will be 4/- for a single man and 6/B'for a married man, plus the normal allowance for children. The Engineering and Allied Trades Shop Stewards’ National Council has

demanded that all workers affected by the crisis should be paid a full week’s money,but at the moment of writing the Government has not given an indication of any ruling. Compared with Blitz It is not necessary to emphasise what unemployment will mean in thousands of homes. What probably is not generally realised at the moment is that in addition to Britain’s overseas trade being affected, shortages of many things, such as clothing, boots, shoes, household requirements, bricks and so forth are going to be directly aggravated. Many people are comparing the present with the blitz days and, though the situation is not directly comparable, yet there are many similar features. Discomfort and uncertainty .hangs over all heads, the lighting restrictions are reminiscent of the blackout, and the effect of the tronsport hold-ups are the same, whether the delay is caused by snow or bombing. While the full economic effects can only be guessed at, it seems fairly certain that the country is in for a prolonged period of fuel cuts and rationing. The possibility of double summer-' time being introduced is being debated and it is noted that in 1945 the saving of fuel was 76000 tons in the first week. On the political side there has been some talk of Mr. Shinwell resigning. This is not now expected. He has the support not only of the Government but of the unions, while Mr. Churchill has stated that he was not wholly to blame. A Rumour Scotched All the rumours and suggestions of a coalition Government, which was previously regarded with scepticism, are also considered as scotched by Mr. Churchill’s remark, “Not a coalition,” during the House of Commons debate. How far the Labour Government may lose prestige and support cannot at present be assessed. But there seems little doubt that, as in the words of one Labour member of the Commons, “coal is the biggest knock the party has yet had.” Even when the present crisis and the present irritation have passed, that “knock” will still be felt.