BRITISH T.U.C. SUPPORTS STABILISATION

Grey River Argus, 11 September 1948, Page 5

BRITISH T.U.C. SUPPORTS STABILISATION

LONDON, Sept. 9 The British Trades Union Congress to-day adopted its council’s report and also a resolution moved by Dame Anne Loughlin (Tailors’ and Garment Workers’ Union), calling on tne Government to control more eflectively price movements; to .maintain and, 11 necessary, extend subsidies; review tne eneuts or purciiase and outer taxes and to impose a stricter limitation on profits. The conference rejected a resolution by the Electrical Trades Union, which moved that, as the present wage level is insufficient to maintain an adequate standard of living, the congress was unable to stabilise w r ages at present levels. Mr L.. C. White (Civil Service Clerical Association) said the pressure for, increased wages was greater now than at any time since the end of the war, because the Government had not kept down prices and profits. CORRECT POLICY Mr Deakin, general secretary of the Transport Workers, said the members of his union were convinced that the policy of reducing prices, and thus increasing the value of wages, was correct. Mr Deakin said the unions adopted the present wages arrangement with their eyes open and the Government’s policy had brought results. ; DTJ Sir George Chester, on behalf of the General Council, disapproved of the Electrical Trades Union’s resolution. He said Sir Stafford Cripps had not had adequate time to see the response to his appeal to restrict profits and dividends. The congress could condemn his policy 12 months hence, if it was unsuccessful.