Trades Unions Consider Post-War Problems

Northern Advocate, 24 August 1943, Page 3

Trades Unions Consider Post-War Problems

(8.0. W., 2 D.'ni.) RUGBY, August 23. Unless control over prices, production, distribution and consumption in the transitional period alter hostilities end be 'maintained at effectiveness at least equal to that maintained in war, it will be impossible: to ensure speedy transfer of the | nation’s resources from war to peace. This iis the view expressed in a report of the general council of the Trades Union Congress to be presented to the 75th annual ; congress at Southport, on September (1 to 9. The report adds that if maintenance ot i substantial control in the post-war transitional period is necessary to a speedy !ordered return to prosperous peacetime iactivities, much remains to be done in the I earliest possible moment in order to prepare and educate the public to under-

standing and acceptance of that necessity and its probable implications. It is a matter which is now being taken up by the T.IJ.C. with the Government through reconstruction of the joint advisory council. Meantime, appropriate committees of the T.U.C. are giving attention to these and other detailed aspects of the transitional and long-term reconstruction policy. The subject ol demobilisation is also dealt with in the report. The general icouncil thought that the formula “age [plus length of service,” subject to niilittaw needs, should be extended to cover jquality as well as length of service. Morelover, ‘it would be necessary to take I account of the demand of industry for i the earlv release of men of special skill land ability. Just as the. call-up for the I armed service and civil defence had been 'ordered and regulated in relation to needs, .so consideration ought to be given to the 1 desirability and practicability of putting the machinery of the call-up into reverse. !The general council realises that, in the ’event, ol hostilities in the Far East conlimning after they end in Europe, the ieffects on strategy and tactics were bound Sto limit considerably applications of the I formula and require retention of men |who, on strict application of the formula, ;would be entitled 1:o priority of discharge. The matter is to be further considered jb.v a joint consultative committee lo the j Minister for Labour, : The policy of the British Government is Ito encourage migration to the Dominions I after the war and facilities will be given |to demobilised soldiers who wish to try I openings in Commonwealth countries, | states the report. The Government, aci cording to the report, is also planning for I the transfer of migrants’ social insurance contributions and for maintenance of their 'rights, which action is in accordance with ! the 1935 Geneva Convention... The report j adds that a study has been made of experience in certain countries regarding !recruitment and selection of migrants and iorganisation of settlement.