LABOUR AFTER THE WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16300, 5 August 1916, Page 7

LABOUR AFTER THE WAR.

GOYEBNMENT'S PROBLEMS.

POSITION OF SUBSTITUTES.

WORK FOR THE SOLDIERS.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 7 D.m.) LONDON, August 3.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, received a deputation representing 1.250,000 workers in the Miners' Federation, the National Union of Raiiwaymen and Transport Workers. The deputation urged the Government to see that standard conditions of living were secured to trade unionists, and that these conditions should not be allowed to fall, and that labour should not be cheapened by the flooding of the market with discharged soldiers and sailors. The presidents of three labour federations urged that trade union practices which were in vogue before the war should be restored when peace was declared ; that all soldiers who desired it should be granted extended furlough on full pay ; and that all men and women employed as substitutes should be given other work at standard living rates, or should be assured of full maintenance. If ex soldiers were unable to procure work, it was contended, they must be assured of a maintenance allowance.

Mr. Asquith said the problems which had been raised were the ! most serious and complicated that had ever been presented to the Government. He did not intend to depart from his pledges regarding the restoration of trade union practices. The insurance of munition workers against unemployment showed that the Government recognised the principle that substitutes should be given other work or should be provided with maintenance. The length of furlough with pay after the war was a matter for the consideration of the Demobilisation Committee. The subject of maintenance allowance for ex-soldiers unable to procure work was being investigated. The Government intended to set up machinery, which would be brought into active operation the moment the war as over.