NATIONAL TRADE POLICY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2975, 12 January 1917, Page 5

NATIONAL TRADE POLICY

WE MUST THINK IN TERMS O# EMPIRE .Y" ■ - - ■■ - ■ •. ;- - • : ;ir _ -" _" - ...... CHec. January 11, 9.30 p.m.). Lv- London, January 11. B( j _ The Employers' Parliamentary Asso< 2. ciation has investigated industrial re-< construction and the establishment o£ a'national trade policy after the war. n< j The report says that the harmony of Z. capital: and labour is the first essential,and suggests the appointment of aa industrial advisory-council representing the employers and workers, to whichi disputes can bo referred.' '■'""' I. n- It condemns compulsory, •arbitration; he as impracticable, .and:has accepted the eu Trado Union Parliamentary Commit* tee's invitation to negotiate , for a geny eral settlement of long-standing differences,, including the unions' demands for compulsory unionism for all work-., ers; a 48 hours' week; a thirty shil* er Hugs minimum wage for adults ', no re* y- duction of existing wages: no increaee m- in existing hours; complete ' reoogni- — tion of trade unions; unemployment pay from the State and the settlement of after-war conditions of women's labour; and to discuss, a proposal for si ■ three years 'industrial.peace; hut re-> gards the trade unions' terms as mere-, ■ely a basis for discussion, and will nofc : or consent to act unless it possesses the* support of itho majority of. the' em-'. n<r ployers - of the United Kingdom. 2. The association regards the:unas«H ciated employer .and. non-unionist as the principal menace to industrial peace. ■■ ■ L ":- : • ■•''•■' It considers that a general increaso of wages of os. weekly would have most serious consequences, es the' increased! - _ reward of labour would be only pos"s sible if it provided for increased selling prices and increased efficiency, and therefore a closer understanding and . co-operation of employers and workers would be imperative. The association approves the encouragement of scientific research, the establishment of a British Trade Bank, n_ and declares that the existing national ts insurance is unsound, and ought to be ' B< l drastically remodelled. It is convince ed that peace will bring great oppor's tunities for the industrial 'and commercial advancement of tho Empire, whose es unrivalled resources must be'thoroughre ly developed. ."AVe must ■ think' in or terms of Empire, and! not as a United; in Kingdom. We must realise■■:that th& ■JJ , Dominions which are supporting us s > nobly in war time will be ready to co* . operate with us in peace time.—Aus.r? N.Z. Cablo Assn. < is ■ ' • .