INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 22 December 1938, Page 10

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE

RESIGNATION OF DIRECTOR Warm tribute to the work of Harold B. Butler as Director of the International Labour Office was paid by members of the Governing Body of the 1.L.0. at their regular autumn meeting, which was held this year in London at the invitation of the British Government. Mr Butler resigned recently to head a new college of social research endowed at Oxford University by Lord Nuffield. When his resignation takes effect at the end of the current year, he will be succeeded by John G. Winant. former chairman of the Social Security Board in the United States. Speaking on behalf of the Government Group of the Governing Body, i Justin Godart of France declared that ■ in the history of the International Lab- ! our Organisation "very striking pages” ! would be devoted to the achievements j of Mr Butler. ! Hans C. Oersted, of Denmark, chairman of the Employers’ Group, said that Air Butler left in that group "many sincere frienois and not a single enemy.” He added: “We have very often been in disagreement with him about the ways and means of promoting the objects of our org misation, but those disagree-

ments have left no bitterness, and we know that he has always understood our attitude and respected our convicCorneille Mertcns of Belgium, chairman of the Workers’ Group, said that in these difficult times of hostility and of chaos, the Office, under Mr Butler’s guidance, “has remained like a steadfast lighthouse to which the workers of j the world could look as their hope of ! help and haven." Carter Goodrich. U.S. Government representative. recalled the warm appreciation of Mr Butler expressed at the International Labour Conference last June by Secretary of Labour Perkins. “Her words were memorable." Mr Goodrich said. “There is nothing 1 can add to them. But T am very happy to echo and reaffirm them.” Mr Butler, after thanking the members of the Governing Body, declared that he felt no doubts as to the future of the f.L.O. provided it continued to follow the line laid down by Mr Albert Thomas, his predecessor. “That line.” Mr Butler explained, “was not to compromise with its ideals; to keep them alive, never to forget them; at the same time to pursue them in a realistic spirit, with care, with prudence. with energy: but also with discrimination, realising that one cannot

always run. that sometimes it is necc sary to walk, at any rate for periods.”