THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the port as a Newspaper MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 1947. British TUC Conference Decisions

Northern Advocate, 8 September 1947, Page 4

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the port as a Newspaper MONDA Y SEPTEMBER 8, 1947. British TUC Conference Decisions

The economic crisis in Britain, and some of the measures preposed to be taken to deal with it, have naturally aroused speculation as to whether or not organised labour would support the Government’s policy of directing workers to industries most urgently requiring assistance to increase production.

There has also been speculation as to whether organised labour would acquiesce in the curtailment or postponement of nationalisation projects likely to interfere with the country’s urgent need for the cooperation of every section of the community in a drive tc- increase exports. These questions must necessarily have increased the Government’s worries and difficulties.

It now appears that the annual Trades Union Conference at Southport has given the Government cause to believe that organised labour may be relied upon to support it in any measures it adopts to solve the country’s economic problems.

To that extent the Government will doubtless breathe more easily, for it will be able, without excessive loss of “face,” to mark time in regard to major nationalisation plans. The congress, it is reported, voted in favour of postponing the introduction, during the present session of Parliament, of measures to nationalise the iron and steel industries.

It also supported the Government’s plans for the directing of labour, on the lines adopted in New Zealand during the war under manpower regulations, which aimed at the full staffing of essential industries by directing available men to employment where it was demonstrated their work would be of more national value than that in which they vvished to be engaged.

Apparently the Southport conference made reservations in regard to the direction of labour, but it gave valuable assistance to the Government by withdrawing a motion calling for a general 40-hour week, and approving in principle a temporary extension of hours in some industries.

As an outcome of these resolutions the Government will be given an opportunity to avoid a frontal attack the objective of which may be gained by an enveloping movement.

While the congress did not manifest enthusiasm in regard to the postponement of nationalisation and hours of work, it evidently recognised that existing circumstances demand action required to promote the country’s welfare rather than sectional interests, the pursuit of which may be resumed when a common danger has passed. Mr Bovin's recent references to a Commonwealth customs union seem to have created much discussion at the conference, but the delegates, like the public generally, appeared to regard the Foreign Minister’s intentions as being so nebulous that expression of worthwhile opinions must be postponed until the reactions of the Dominions are ascertained.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, says that “from the cabled reports it would appear that the conception of a customs union was very much more an idea than a plan,” and that there is such a lack of certainty in the reports that until details are available he will not be in a position to comment with any degree of accuracy. The next move must evidently be made by Mr Bevin, who should not be asked to make a hurried exposition of details of an idea, or plan, which, on the face of it, has merit. It will be remembered by an older generation that the late Sir Joseph Ward, when representing New Zealand at an early Imperial Conference, was inspired to urge the need for an Empire Parliament. The proposal electrified the delegates, but when Sir Joseph was induced to give details of what was really the germ of the Imperial consultations that have since evolved, he was not able to present a case which required time for thought and analysis. That, however, is just by the way, but it suffices to indicate that while seed is of tremendous importance, any attempt to hurry its germination may destroy it. Mr Bevin’s suggestion therefore requires careful cogitation by the best brains of the Empire, for its implications, short term as well as long term, are obviously far-reach-ing.

The interest in this subject manifested at the Southport conference, and the reluctance of the delegates to express an emphatic opinion regarding it, are understandable in the circumstances.