THIS TESTING TIME OF 1946

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21962, 5 March 1946, Page 4

THIS TESTING TIME OF 1946

MR. ATTLEE’S APPEAL FOR TEAMWORK INDUSTRIAL DRIVE TO SAVE BRITAIN LONDON, March 3. The British Prime Minister, Mr. C. It. Attlee, in a nation-wide broadcast to-night, called on Britain to join in a great production drive. He said it was the clear duty of all to give their-services fully and continuously to maintain and increase the British standard of life. Dealing with the reasons for the present shortages of goods for home consumption, Mr. Attlee said it took time to turn a gascooker factory over to making parts of machine-guns and it would take time turning it back again. “Apart from any temporary relief we may get by loans from our friends across the Atlantic, we can only buy from abroad now if we can pay by exporting goods,” he said. “We, additionally to making' good our war losses and providing the things needed <u home, must produce enough to buy food and raw materials from overseas. We must export much more than we did before the war. ’ ’

Man-power Problems

They forgot that it was only by greater production and increasing the wealth of the nation that we should be able to reduce taxation. The same need for economy of labour and for good work applied equally .to distribution and office work Appeal To Elderly Workers Mr. Attlee appealed to women and those people who might, in other circumstances retire from work through age, to remain in industry and agriculture, if possible, during the difficult transition period. He asked employers to continue to employ these groups and emphasised the necessity for continuity of effort. Mr. Attlee asked employers to throw aside restrictions on output calculated to create artificial shortages. “I ask my fellow trade unionists to examine whether there are not customs and rules established for the protection of the worker before the days of full employment which to-day are unnecessary and hampering to full production,” he added. "I have spoken frankly of the difficulties, because in a democracy people are entitled to know the truth, and the Government asks and does not ask in vain for willing co-operation.”

Referring to man-power problems, Mr Attlee said that before the war there were not enough jobs for the workers. To-day there were not enough workers for the jobs. They wanted more houses, coal, machinery, everything. “There is only one way to get them — by work," he added. “There is a shortage of labour which can be overcome only by using labour effectively, utilising every source of inventiveness and organiastion and by all doing their best.”

Mr. Attlee recalled the wonderfully keen’ spirit of the nation during the war. saying: “I want everyone to realise the same unity of purpose to-day and to recapture the spirit that brought us through. Don’t think just in terms of the particular business in which you are working. Realise that you are producing the houses, coal, food, etc., your friends need just as they are. producing what you need. If you are working for the export trade you are buying with your labour the food and raw materials essential to you and the nation.” Mr. Attlee said he knew most people were feeling the long strain of the last six years. He knew how many things there were which irritated and worried them. There was only one way to fill the shops and get back to plenty and that was to produce more. The Government had to make decisions on how best to use the labour available. It had to decide that necessities must come before luxuries. This did not mean that they should have no Pleasures but that they must concentrate on seeing that the people had food, clothing, shelter, and the necessities of life first. The less essential things would come as times got easier. Intelligent Use Of Labour The use of the labour force fully did not mean that the Government believed in excessive hours or overworking, which was uneconomical and wasteful. It wanted to use labour intelligently and for everyone to give a full output. While there must always be some temporary unemployment in view of the changing over of jobs, they were all resolved that they would never return to the bad old days of mass unemployment, but the effect of the bad old days remained. There were some employers wasteful of labour because they lad seen used to a surplus. A minority of employers were careless about conditions because if one man left, they could get another. There, were workers who were reluctant, not unnaturally, to go allout on the job because they feared that when it was done they would be unemployed. They sometimes tried to spin out the job. Those attitudes of mind were out of place in this new era of full employment. There were also some who did not go all out because they thought that if they made or earned more it wolud ne taken by taxation.

Mr. Attlee proceeded to say that .there was a bright side to the picture. He instanced that demobilisation was proceeding smoothly, .the flow of goods to shops was steadily increasing, the reconversion of industry was being accomplished with credit to all concerned, export trade was growing, great work had been done repairing war-damaged bouses, and the erection of new houses would be under way when .the weather improved. Britain’s Great Resources ‘‘We have great, resources in the factories plant, fertile soil and, above all, a people second to none in energy, skill, aclaptability and resolution,” he went on. ■ “As a people which is always greatest when difficulties have to be faced I have not the slightest doubt, that we shall come triumphantly through this testing time of 1946 as in 1940. We shall come through now as then by the team spirit of our people and the close co-operation between, the Government and the nation. I assure you that everyone of us in the Government v.’ill do his utmost to guide the energies of the nation along the road to prosperity. I ask confidently for the help of everyone listening. Let us march forward together cheerfully, strong and resolute to win the war against want as we conquered in the fight for freedom. Let all resolve to do their duty in their own sphere, serving the common cause in the knowledge that the British people will, under God, show in peace, as in war, that democracy can be combined with strength, tradition with progress, liberty with self-discipline and prosperity wth social justice.”