LABOUR ORGANISATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 229, 26 August 1938, Page 2

LABOUR ORGANISATION.

MR THORN’S IMPRESSIONS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND,, Aug. 25. The strong and growing influence of the United States and Latin American, countries in the International Labour Organisation particularly impressed Mr •J. Thorn, M.P. for Thames, who returned from London to-night after representing the New Zealand Government at tho annual conference at Geneva. The conference was a most interesting experience, said Mr Thorn in an interview. The vitality of the organisation was evident from the fact that no fewer than 460 delegates and advisers representing 50 nations took nart, in this'year's conference, the attendance almost equalling the record 'et in 1937. This was more remarkable in view of the alarming situation in Europe and the war in the East. Incidentally. it was curious to note that both China and Japan sent delegations. This was apparentlv in admission that whatever divisions might arkemit of political considerations uniformity in industrial' conditions on an international scale was desirable. Among the delegates were nine Ministers of Labour and notable contributions to the debates were made by Ministers of Great Britain, tlie United States, France and Republican Spain. An outstanding feature of tlie conference was the large representation of the States of North and South: America. ' ' Mr Thorn stated that the conference, had adonted only one convention. This: dealt with statistics of wages and’ hours, an international compilation, of which was felt to be essential To the preparation of policies of economic im-‘ provement. The adoption of this eon-' vention'was unanimous. A great deal of work was also done in other directions.

■Mr Thorn, who was accompanied by Mrs Thorn, was met aboard the liner bv Mr W. J. Shanly. private secretary to the Minister of Labour (Hon. H. T. Armstrong). • • . •-■-■■'