I.L.O. DECISIONS

Grey River Argus, 12 May 1944, Page 5

I.L.O. DECISIONS

RIVAL CHARTERS Australia and America (R.ec 7.30) PHILADELPHIA, Mav 10. The International Labour Organisation to-day unanimously adopted the “Philadelphia Charter.” Meanwhile there are the Australian and the American Government Charters and social objectives. The Australians want to have .a world agreement so as to guarantee high levels of employment, as a basis for world economic collaboration. The American delegates have issued the full text of their proposals. Thev .announced they would be submitting resolutions to the effect that the 1.L.0. should call a special 1.L.0. conference when there is a danger of a substantial fall in general employment levels, for the purpose of recommending appropriate national measures to prevent the development ana the spread of unemployment, and to establish conditions under which high levels of employment may be maintained or restored. The American delegates stated they are, further, moving that 1.L.0. activities towards maintaining full employment should be co-related w’th lhe activities of other international agencies'which may be designated by the United Nations to have primary responsibility in related economic fields.

A “New York Times” correspondent says: An American proposal, which is under consideration by an important United Nations Commjttee. supplants an earlier and more restricted proposal, and it represents nn attempt by the United States Government to compromise its differences with the Australian Government. A feature of these new pronosals is that there should be a binding agreement that the signatory Governments should recognise their “duty to maintain a high level of employment.” However, it is understood that this new proposal does not satisfy the Australian delegates. - The “New York Times” correspondent says: A bitter controvery arose at the full I.L O. conference abouj a vast scheme of social security which was submitted by the 1.L.0. Social Security Committee. The plan would prvoide for a vast world scheme of insurance “from the cradle to the grave.” It covers sickness, maternity, invalidity, the bread-winner’s death, unemployment expenses and accidents. The proposals are considered to be more comprehensive even than the British Eeveridee report. After a sharp debate, the conference decided on a plan unon which the first anu second resolutions, dealing with income security were adopted. A third resolution. dealing with medical care, is coming up to-morrow.

U.S.A. (PROPOSAL FAVOURED BY COMMITTEE.

(Rec. H. 20) PHILADELPHIA. May 11

The United Nations Committee, by 22 votes to 17. defeated the Austral’an resolution for an International Employment Agreement. The Committee voted by 46 to 8 to report on the American proposal to the full conference. The Committee approved of Hon. Mr. Beasley’s proposal that representatives of the United, the associated, and other nations should confer at an early date with the 1.L.0. governing bodv to consider arp international agreement. on their domestic policies regarding employment.

America Non-Commital ON WORK AND WAGES AUSTRALIAN VIEW OF POSITION, (Rec. 9.30) PHILADELPHIA, May 10. The failure of Australia and the United States to reach an agreement on Australia’s resolution recommending that the Governments enter upon certain obligations regarding domestic policy as announced by Hon. J. Beasley (Australian delegate) at a meeting of the United Nations Committee of the 1.L.0. Conference. “This is more than a mere difference of view between two Governments,” said Mr Beasley. “This disagreement has revealed a fundamental weakness which is likelv to threaten the whole future of the United Nations’ economic collaboration. The United States is, apparently, not prepared at this conference to enter into any international undertakings to maintain high levels of employment, or to confer when the level of employment shows signs of decreasing. If the United States Government is not willing to undertake some employment obligations, we must hesitate before entering upon discussions upon other aspects of international economic collaboration; .and we could not feel ourselves obliged to undertake any commitments limiting our freedom of ‘ action to protect ou? economy as against depressed conditions overseas. Throughout this conference, there has not only been lip service to ideas, but a great deal of fin service to the 1.L.0. itself. The United Nations must reach an agreement on. domestic policies. It is vital to international collaboration an r i to peace-