LABOUR CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25343, 26 October 1945, Page 8

LABOUR CONTROL

RELAXATION URGED TRADES UNION PRESSURE POSITION IN BRITAIN Fy Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Heed. 0.30 p.m.) LONDON. Oct, •_'*> • The Trades Union congress announced that it is strongly urging •the Government to drop all labour • controls oil men and women over 30 years of age. The industrial correspondent of the Daily Express says the congress is not likely to succeed immediately, but its pressure is expected to lead to a, stage by stage reduction in present controls before the end of the year. The T.TJ.C. wants modification of three major labour controls. Firstly, the . power of direction under the defence regulations which is applicable to • all persons of all ages, although, the Government Has given assurances that this power is now kept in cold storage. Secondly, the control of engagement order, which governs the appointment of men up to 00-.and women up to 40. Thirdly, the essential _ works order, , which ties men up to 65 and women up to#-60 to their present, jobs in {inns scheduled under the order. > The Daily Express points out that the T.U.C. proposals would mean freedom ■for nearly 7J.XX),(X)O workers to choose their own jobs.

TRADE AGREEMENTS EAST AND WEST EUROPE ( LATVIA FIVE-YEAR PLAN LONDON, Oct. 24 Two financial trade agreements were eigried in Europe today—one between Holland and Switzerland, and the other between France and Czechoslovakia. In addition Moscow has -reported the preparation of a five-year : economic development plan for Latvia. Renter's Moscow correspondent reports'that the Baltic ports of Riga. Ventspils (Windau) and Liepaja (Libau) will be developed ns outlets for Russian foreign trade under the plan. Reuter's Paris correspondent says the •French Foreign Minister, M. Georges •Bidault, and the Czechoslovak Minister of-State, Dr Ripka, signed the FrancoCzech agreement which covers a period of six months. This is the first post-war • treaty providing . for trade relations between Eastern and Western European countries. •France will supply bauxite, phosphates and machinery in- exchange for timber, paper., glassware and hops. The Swiss radio states that the con.tents of the pact between Holland and Switzerland will be published after the Federal Council releases the text. NEW MINERS' CODE AUSTRALIAN PROPOSAL DISCIPLINE FOR MEMBERS SYDNEY, Oct. 25 Aggregate meetings of miners in Sydney, the first of which is to be held next Sunday, will consider the new policy formulated at the recent convention of the Miners' Federation and the proposals for a new disciplinary code for all members. The code provides penalties . for unauthorised strikes, and empowers the Miners' 'Federation to expel mem- • bers for repeated disruption. The aggregate meetings will be asked to apply the disciplinary code in its 'entirety in every district, provided the Governments are prepared to leave the discipline to the union and to enforce the Coal Mines Regulations Act on all jijolliery owners. • The preamble to the code tells the miners that undisciplinary action has cost the federation thousands of pounds and has weakened its fighting strength. It adds: "The need for discipline in .•all walks of life is recognised b.v all , responsible people. This is true of the •miners equally with anv other section. The history of our industry, however, • the hurts, losses, hatreds and frustration which have been so much a feature •of our lives and the absolute instability occasioned by the owners' cut-throat, wildcat attitude, has born in us a resentment and willingness to fight the boss on any and every occasion. , "The coal-owner must be fought to /win better conditions in the nit and im.prove living standards, but ne must be fought sensibly and by the union as a _whple—-not by individual members of 'lodges pursuing a policy in conflict with the federation."

~ The code provides that no stoppage, except where safety is concerned, should .take place at any time without the endorsement of the district committee or executive. The miners have chosen Sunday for their meetings to avoid loss of coal production. BIG EDUCATION VOTE NEW SOUTH WALES BUDGET /RECORD AMOUNT PROPOSED . : _ SYDNEY, Oct. 25 A feature of the Budget announced !n the New South Wales Legislative Assembly last night by the Premier, Mr W. J. McKell, is the record vote of £6,876,000 proposed for education. This iB the greatest amount spent on education in one year by any Australian State". The Budget also provides for improved «transport services and rural electrification. For 1945 and 1946, consolidated revenue .receipts are e a pec ted to total £31,244,000 and expenditure is estimated at £31,240,000. "National isolation spells national disaster," said Mr McKell, in K his "Budget speech. "We are learning that prosperity and high employment in any country depend largely on world prosperity. Economic policy in the reconstruction period will depend largely on ■whether the world is to enter a period of true reconstruction and advancement or merely revert to pre-war conditions of unemployment and failure to develop resources, recurring trade depression, harmful restrictions on the flow of world trade and wasteful policies of self-sufficiency." Mr McKell added one of the most striking feature", he had observed while visiting Britain, Canada and the United States was the universal recognition .of the need for world co-operation. PREMATURE EXPLOSION .RADIO-CONTROLLED BOMBER WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 It is officially announced that the premature explosion of a four-engincd radio-controlled Liberator plane, carrying 21,1701b of explosives, killer! Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy, jun , and Lieutenant Wilford Willy, of the United States Air l'orce, over England on August 12, 1914. The pilots intended to bail out of the aircraft whon two accompanying pianos had achieved radio control "of the Liberator, the target for which was a flying bomb Inunclimg si to in Nor inn inly. Before this was achieved, however a double explosion demolished the Liberator. The cause of tho explosion has not been determined. Lieutenant Kennedy was a son of a former Ambassador 'to England, Mr Joseph P. Kennedy.

FUNDS FOR GREECE ATHENS, Ort. 23 British Government has released £7,000,000 for use by Greece for purchases in. the sterling area. This had .accumulated in the fiirm of provision made by the Bank of Greece for the :®eeds of the British forces. .