UTILISATION OF LABOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17292, 18 April 1918, Page 4

UTILISATION OF LABOUR

A MISAPPREHENSION REMOVE©.

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 17. Jll reply to telegrams received from Labour unions various ljarts of. tho country, Sir Joseph ard said 1 : In re.pl vto vour telegram of yesterday, I think you aro mistaken in tho conclusion you arrived at regarding the clauso in tho Finajieo Bill, aud I would suggest that you wait until you see tho discussion fully reported in Hansard upon it. The clause is one intended for tho organisation of all classes, not of Labour alonct, and there is 110 intention on tho part of tho Government to utilise Labour for private gain. It is impossible for anvono to say what tho necessities of the country may require with regard to the utilisation of non-essential businesses and industries owing to tho possible further prolongation of the war, and the proposal is as much in tho interest of and necessary for Labour as for any other class in the country. Tho regulations which tho Bill provides for, and which aro to he laid upon tho table of t K c House of Parliament, will bo drawn up after conference with tho various industries, including thoso of Labour, and I can only'give you my assurance that if there had been any intention to injure. Labour. I should have been strongly against tho proposal, as I fully recogniso that in tho crisis through which this country, together with o v lier parts of tho Empire, is passing it is essential to havo the goodwill of rfte workers and their co-operation in active sympathv with tho Government, in any system of organisation that, may be found necessary to insure tho preservation of iho country."