CO-OPERATION.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18890, 4 January 1927, Page 9

CO-OPERATION.

AN INDUSTRIAL NEED.

IMPORTANT DISCUSSION HELD

(AUSTRALIAN' AND X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Stdset "Sus" Sebvice.)

LONDON, January 2

The "Weekly Dispatch" reveals that a secret dinner rpaty was held at Lord Wimborne'o London residence during Christmas week, and that at it di missions were inaugurated for securing greater stability in the nation's Industrie ..

Proposals for co-operation, agreeable to employers and workers, were examined by those present, who included the Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill, Lord D'Abernon and Lord Wimbornr, Sir Hugo Hirst, Messrs Philip Snowden, J. R. Clvnes, A. Pugh (secretary of the Iron and Steel Trades Federation), C. T. Cramp (secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen), and Robert Williams (an ex-chairman of the Labour Party). They were"told that the object of.the gathering was to enable them, as responsible leaders, to hear Lord D'Abernon 's account of German schemes for industrial co-operation. A hint was also given that the discussion might take a more domestic turn, and this happened. Lord D'Abernon's narration afforded plenty of scope for a comparison of British and German conditions, after which the calamities of 1926 were freely discussed, also the prospects of a better understanding in 1927. The trade nionists at great length questioned Lord D'Abernon, and he cleared up many points, enabling an examination to be made of how German methods were adaptable to Great Britain. It was pointed out that Sir Arthur Balfour's Committee on Trade Relations would be reporting at an early date, probably offering important recommendations for industrial peace and goodwill, which all agreed were essential. It is understood that Mr Winston Churchill expressed the opinion that the Government would bless any projects aiming at co-operation. Mr Churchill was greatly impressed by the trade unionists' frankness. A further meeting was not arranged, but hopes were generally expressed that the discussions would be resumed in the near future, when it might be possible to give the Balfour recommendations in concrete shape.