BRITISH LABOUR POLICY

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23283, 20 August 1945, Page 5

BRITISH LABOUR POLICY

Control Of Essential Services Critical Period Ahead By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright LONDON, August 17. Intervening in the debate in the House of Commons to-day on the Labour Government's programme outlined in the King’s speech, the Lord Privy Seal (Mr Arthur Greenwood) said that the Government would steadfastly pursue its policy of Government ownership of essential services. He said that home building was receiving immediate attention and the registration of building trade workers was going on rapidly. The Government

was planning to switch workers from munition factories to factories where components for house-building were made. The Government was giving attention to the very complicated problems in regard to social security and national health schemes. Releases For Industry The Minister of Labour (Mr George Isaacs) has issued a statement on the release of men and women from the services. By the end of the year, he said, not far short of 1,000,000 men and women would have been released from the forces. Some 100,000 of these would be women. The releases would be made in order of age and length of service. Later, another 100,000 would be released in Class B for essential industry. It would be madness to abandon the financial and economic controls which had served so well during the war. said the Prime Minister (Mr Attlee). While all that was possible would be done to increase the erection of houses, nothing could be done which could substantially alleviate the problem this winter. The release of 1.000.000 people from the munitions industries was bound to bring difficulties, while the total demand for labour would for some time exceed the labour supply. Local temporary unemployment was inevitable.

Great Dangers Faced Mr Attlee said that Britain was faced with two great dangers—inflation and unemployment. The Government was resolved that there would be no inflation and was determined that there would continue to be a fair and equitable sharing of all resources. The sudden victory against Japan enhanced the danger of unemployment. “We are living in times when great changes are due,” said the Prime Minister. “Britain expects much from this House. I do not think it will be disappointed. I am not asking for indulgence, as all Governments deserve criticism and ought to profit by it. But during the critical period we shall require a continuance of something of the spirit that won the war, and not allow private sectional interests to obscure the Interests of all or the love which we have for our native land and our people."