LABOUR CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24733, 9 October 1941, Page 8

LABOUR CONFERENCE

FORTHCOMING DISCUSSIONS 'IMPORTANCE STRESSED (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 7. The Manchester Guardian, commenting on the forthcoming meeting of the International Labour '■ Organisation, wh»ch the newspaper suggests will have matters of some importance before it, says: "If it acts on the report of the deputy director of the 1.L.0., Mr.Phe.lan', which it is to discuss, it \vill take some important steps in the preparation of post-war reconstruction and the fulfillment of the great social aims to which the Allied Powers and the United States are committed. Mr Phelan is anxious that the 1.L.0., which so associates governments with authorised representatives of organised employers and workers, should begin work, on the problems of peace. It wpuld seem appropriate, he suggests, at ithe turning pojnt hi the world's histhe general social objective of economic security ',is- to .be the! mainspring of concerted political effort,.that thVi-L.O. should be solemnly charged with its, share of the task, and that thereby irien and women throughout the world should be given a guarantee that their Governments will vigorously pursue the effective realisation of such a policy through "Its instrumentality. The formation of such a social mandate would constitute a general declaration of international social policy, and would give the. International Labour Organisation a' programme to implement its completion with all the,de-: tail necessary. This is the suggestion to. #hich ithe Governments to'be represented'in -New York-would do well to 'give' immediate attention' so that their delegates may speak with some authority .ajid a beginning can be made without the delay-of waiting for another conference. '/ V. ~ ■■'. *VMr BheUti ,spti? but;for .discussion the main pbintsiand principles which such social mandate might cover. These artf worth indicating in a summary as the first attempt to expand the general phrases of bur peace aims. Mr Phelan's points are as follows: The elimination of unemployment and the establishment of machinery for placing vocational training and retraining, the improvement of social insurance in all its fields, and in particular its extension to all classes of workers; the institution of a wage policy aimed at securing a just share of the fruits of progress for the worker; a minimum living wage for those too weak to secure it for themselves; measures to promote better nutrition and to provide adequate housing and facilities for recreation and culture; greater equality of occupationary opportunity; improved conditions of work; an international public works policy for the development of the world's resources; the organisation of migration for employment and settlement under adequate guarantees for all concerned, and the collaboration of employers and workers in the initiation and application of economic and social measures.