LABOUR AFTER THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2842, 5 August 1916, Page 9

LABOUR AFTER THE WAR

DEPUTATION TO MR. ASQUITH Australian-New Zealand" Cable* Association. (Bee: August': 3;.-5-.5 p.m.) London, August S.Mr. Aiquith received "a 'deputation representing one and a quarter million, workers in the Miners',federation. National Union of Railwaymen, and Transport -workers. The - deputation urged that the Government~sliould;see: that the .standard conditions "of life wsre secured .to ' trade unioniiti"-'-'and- L v that they should • not : ' be l —ailowe'd —'-to fall, or TaSour to ..be . cheapened -by flooding the - market - "with discharged soldiers and. sailors. The presidents of the three 7 federations urges, that trade union practices before the war should bo restored when peace ?ra3 declared, And that all soldiers so desirous should be granted extended : furloughs on full p>iy. All men and women employed "as sutetitutesfShould ■' be givea other'work at standard'"living rates of fiifi maintenance. If ex-soldiers are unable ,tp prqeure ,svjork_ they must .be as-, sured'of a maintenance allowance." Mr.' Asqiiith, in. .reply, stated that tha problems faised 'we're "the most serious and complicated ever : presented. The Government did not intend to depart from its pledges regarding the restoration of trade union practices. The insurance of munition workers against unemployment showed..that the Government recognised the principle that substitutes should be given' other 2*'otk or maintenance. The length of furlough with pay after-the war-was a .matter for the consideration of the Demobilisation Committee. The-subject of maintenance allowance for ex-soldiers unable to procure work was lii?iiTg " investigated, and the Government .intended to set up machinery which would be brousht into active operation the moment the war was-.over. . ■ \