UNEMPLOYMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 25 February 1931, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT

THE F. 8.1. VOTE FUTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY Wliat is the F. 8.1. ? asks a trade journal, which proceeds: —F. 8.1. stands for Federation of British Industries a body that “exists to encourage and develop British manufactures and to safe-, guard the interests of British producers., both at Home and abroad. .Nothing (hat concerns the welfare of British Industry falls outside its scope. ’ Officially regarded as the largest association ot manufacturers in the world, its membership includes practically every important- manufacturers’ association in the country. In. t lje words of the F. 8.1. itself, it is “(he mouthpiece of the country’s productive activity.” Obviously, the information of such a body on the subject with which if is concerned is likely to he sound., and it may be taken, for granted that its ways and means for collecting representative opinion on aspects of British Industry, are adequate. The F. 8.1. is a non-political organisation, and has no political “axe to grind.” Its membership -naturally includes people of many shade*’ ~f political opinion, comprehensively indicated . by our Company’s Chairman, Sir Eric Geddes (President of the F. 8.1. in 1924-25), when he said, “They may range from the most reactionary blue to the most progressive red.” Its representative and impartial character is emphasised by the fact that it has formed a Joint Committee With official representatives of the Trades Union Congress for the discussion of economic problems with a view to. joint action by the two bodies wherever possible. What,is the F. 8.1 vote? (continues the writer). Tlio F. 8.1. vote represents action taken by that body, covering .over 150 manufacturers’ associations in the country, on the matters set out below, a special committee having been appointed in July last: ' To ascertain the views of members as to whether or not- a more general application of Safeguarding duties would contribute materially to the x-estoration of prosperity to British Industry and a- consequent alleviation of the unemployment problem. To ascertain the views of members in regard to the adoption of such a fiscal policy hv this country as will permit of a- wide expansion of the policy of l’eciprocal agreements between the United Kingdom and the dominions on the basis of mutual preference in their respective markets.

An enquiry on the above was circulated wholly with the idea of its being a first step towards attacking the unemployment problem with a view to relieving it, and there was no thought behind the enquiry of any political or party purposes, directly or indirectly.

THE RESULT OF THE VOTE Tin's was reported to a special meeting of the Grandi Council (the governing body) of the F. 8.1., in the following terms: — “As members of the Council are aware, a questionnaire was sent out inviting the Members of the Federation to express an opinion as to the relative merits of Fiye Trade, Protection, Imperial Preference, andji combination of -the two latter policies. “This questionnaire was submitted to all direct Members of, the F. 8.1. and, in addition, Trade Association -members were requested to circulate it to all firms affiliated, to them. The votes, cast have been ‘carefully analysed, and their values assessed according to the number of work-people employed by caclr firm. The committee . have' fo report -that of the total constituency thus covered approximately 72 per cent, have recorded a definite vote. 7.4 per. cent, have reported that owing to a divergence of views upon their hoards they have been unable to reach a unanimous decision, while some others have sustained from voting on tho ground that their. industries would not he directly affected. y “The. analysis Of the voting shows that of the definite opinions recorded: (a) 3.9 per cent, are in favour of maintaining .the existing Free Trade fiscal system. -’' (lx) 96.1 per cent, flrd in favour of a change./ - - v “Further tha,t:— (e) No single industrial-group within the Federation shows a , majority in favour of maintaining the Free Trade fiscal system. ' r! " : “If the number of firms voting are without inference’ - to the number of their employees, the percentages are: ‘(1) In favour of the existing (system, 4.5 per cent. (2) In favour of a change, 95.5 per cent.

“Again, assessed in this manner, no industrial group in ' the Federation shows a majority ;in support of the present system. . A,.v ■ Jfe--' ' ; “From tiie above it is clear ’fhat;hpw-c-yer tho voting is assessed the gdeat majority of the members of tlie federation are in favour of.a change,in our fiscal system.” $$ V The last "statement'in the above report is one of outstanding significance, particularly when it is read in conjunction with the rest of the report, Vhich shows 'that the committee made very special efforts to record the opinions received, at their true practical value, the number of work-people employed by each firm being , taken into account.

THE NEXT STEP Even those who take the minority view very strongly, will be prepared to admit that it is very difficult to ini: agine a better way than 'that adopted, to collect representative industrial opinion on a vital subject of the day and they will, we feel sure, be equally ready to agree that the unemployment problem is one which nobody engaged in British industry, whatever ids position, can afford to disregard. On this account, the action taken by the grand council of the E. 8.1. arising out of the report set out above, must he particularly interesting. After some discussion, pai't of which was directed to emphasising that the E. 8.1. is not going to enter party polities, and that the F.8.1.’s attitude and actions are concerned with industry first and last, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:—•• ]. The Grand Council resolves that in view of the overwhelming expression of opinion by its members the Federation of British Industries shall press by every means in its power for the establishment of a fiscal system which will combine the protection of our in-

dustrial interests at home, with the Empire preference. 2. The Grand Council empowers the president in consultation with the past presidents to set up the machinery required to carry into effect the above resolution (including the raising of syich special funds as may be needed) either by means of the Federation’s own organisation alone or by co-opera-tion with other bodies or in any other 1 appropriate manner. 3. The Grand Council reaffirms the Federation’s policy of abstention from party politics, but it considers that in this time of grave national peril, any measures and machinery aiming at the Restoration of British industry, should b? treated as lying outside the realm of party conflict. 4. The Grand Council also desires to place on record its opinion that, while the reform of the cquntry’s fiscal policy is an essential condition for the restoration of industrial prosperity, it is not tfie only measure required to remedy the present grave economic distress. In addition, therefore, to pressing for a change in our fiscal .system the Grand Council emphasises the necessity of the Federation continuing to urge, by itself or in collaboration with the representative bodies, the adoption of any measures which may be designed to rehabilitate British industry.