AFTER THE WAR PROBLEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, 5 August 1916, Page 5

AFTER THE WAR PROBLEMS

LABOUR DEPUTATION TO OMR i ASQUITH. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Aug. 3. tLvlr Asquith received' a deputation representing 1,250,000 workers in the Miners' Federation, National Union of Railwayanen and Transport Workers' Federation, who urged the Government to see that standard conditions of living wore secured, and that trade .union rates were not allowed to fall or la'bour to be cheapened by flooding the market with discharged soldiers and sailors. The presidents of the three federations urged' that trade union practices before the war should be restored after peace was declared'; that all) soldiers desirous of it should be granted' extended furloughs on full pay, and all meij and women employed as substitutes should be given other work at standard living rates or full maintenance. If ex-soldiers were unable to -procure work they must be assured' of a- maintenance allowance.

Mr Asquith said the problems raised were tne most serious and 1 complicated ever presented. The Government did hot intend to depart from' their pledges regarding the restoration of trade union practices. The insurance of munition workers against xinempioyment showed that the Government .recognised the principle that substitutes should be given other work or maintenance*. The length of furlough with pay after the war was a matter for the consideration of ■the Demobilisation Committee. The snbject of maintenance allowance to ex-soldiers unable to procure work was being investigated'. The Government interid'ed to set xip machinery which would he brought into active operation the' moment the war was over. I