SOME IMPRESSIONS

Grey River Argus, 6 August 1937, Page 3

SOME IMPRESSIONS

International Labour Conference BY HON H. T. ARMSTRONG [Special to. “Argus.”] LONDON, July 6. •‘•I am asked for my impressions of the International Labour Conference with special reference to the textile Convention. I will be pleased to do so, said Hon H. T. Armstrong. “I represent New Zealand where every reform advocated by the International Labour Organisation is already written into the laws of that country, and as it is my first visit to Geneva naturally my first impression was that'the organisation moved too slowly. However, when one takes into consideration that itjs a worldwide movement and thaT the most backward countries are represented at the Conference, one must give the organisation credit lor the progress that it has made. The Conference that is now ending shows clearly that the world is moving rapidly in the direction of social reform, aiid the 1.L.0. by bringing representatives of Governments, workers and employers together from all parts of the world to discuss these reforms must have contributed largely to the brighter outlook in the world to-day. I was keenly interested in the proposed Conventions for the 40-hour week in printing, chemical and textile industries, and particularly in the textiles because they did my country the honour of making me chairman of that committee. The work of the committee was ver-.' strenuous and progress slow because of the fact that there were about 50 members on it, and each speech had to be translated into two other languages. However, after many amendments, mostly making it more elastic for the purpose of meeting the objections of countries who were not prepared to go as far as America or New Zealand, we managed to get it through the committee stage and reported it to Conference. It caused more interest, and more discussion than an other question dealt with by Conference. It was a big thing to got it. endorsed by Conference by a fair margin over and above the necessary two-thirds majority. I am sorry that the chemical and printing Conventions did not go through, but when one considers that in both cases they received large majorities, though not quite the necessary two-thirds it is nevertheless a decided move forward and gives a splendid lead to the world. Although a good deal could be said for a fair majority having to be obtained before Conventions are passed, I think the two-thirds majority tar too much of a handicap and makes progressive reform difficult to obtain. This is a matter the Organisation will have to give attention to, if it is to continue to give a lead to a rapidly changing world.' The Conference was in general a success, arid I have great hopes for the future of the 1.L.0. I cannot i.elp saying that the lead given by the United States of America has been wonderful, and to see at the Conference a highly industrialised country like America with Government, workers’ and employers’ representatives all voting together for the reforms was a great example for the world to follow.

The Director’s report was very interesting and contained a fund of information regarding world-wide movements and progressive reforms. The discussion which took place upon the report was of a high order and must be of great educational value.

I think the International Labour Office is to be congratulated on possessing a very highly efficient staff and the value of its work would be hard to estimate. No doubt I could point out what I deem to be weaknesses in the organisation, but its good qualities far outweigh the weaknesses. In any case the fact that hundreds of representative people trom all countries come together and discuss social problems must in itself result in a power of good. The thing that impressed me most was, that although there are marked differences of opinion between representatives of different countries, the wonderful spirit in which such differences were thought out and the good will that is shown towards one another.

In spite of mistakes that may have been made by the International Labour Organisation and the League of Nations, I am more firmly of the opinion than ever that the hope of the world is in Geneva.