INDUSTRY'S FUTURE IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 254, 22 July 1919, Page 8

INDUSTRY'S FUTURE IN BRITAIN

PROSPECTS NEVER BRIGHTER MR. J; R. CLYNES'S VIEWS (Special to "The Christian Science Monitor.") Oxford, England.—Jh-. J. R. dynes, M.P., recently addressed a meeting at the Town Hall, Oxford, on the.subject of tho industrial outlook, Prospects lor the progress of the working class, Mr. Clynes said, were never brighter than at present if the opportunities were used with due regard to national as well as woririux-clnss interests. A big stride toward a peaceful settlement of the claims of the miners, railwaymen, and transport workers, lie said, 'was immediately followed 'by a report of the joint industrial committee, which contained unanimous recommendations for improvements in hours nn<l wages, and in tho relationship of workers and employers. It waß a great thing, Mr. Clynes added, to secure unanimity between employers and workers on matters until a few weeks ago, divided iheni acutely. Following the report.'There was published an announcement of (lie Goi'ernmont plan for the training and employment of women workers. If speedy effect were given to the recommendations, he thought that a great deal of suspicion and cause for discontent would be removed.

Public a Grand Jury. Continuing, Mr. .Clynes said that .tho disposition to settle after the public had been constituted a kiiid of grand jury was a very pood thing for til. labour could not afford to alienator'public sympathy. While he considered the workers had a right to a voice in the settlement ot' these questions, he said the settlement must bo brought about through ti process of democratic machinery, operating through tho agency of officials and the delegates. Referring to a tendency among the younger 'workers to think come of tho Labour leaders wore out of date, Mr. Clynes pointed out that the individual workman could see only a very small part of a very big problem. These questions were not merely national, and it was necessary, therefore, that iliey should have competent 'leaders informed not merely upon immediate trado conditions, but skilled men with some general .knowledge of industry and .of tho social forces of the world at 'large. He appealed for loyalty, for patience, and for confidence in tlie men who had shown, themselves worthy of tho confidence Which the rank and file liad reposed in them. , Mr. Clynes referred to the necessity for inc'rejising opportunities for the employment of women, Some people, he said, wrongly regarded democracy as solely tho property of the workman and of tho manual labourer. Organised Labour was a potent tiling which Ministers could not trifle' with. Indeed, it might bo driven to unwise courses if promises made to it were too long do- . ' Grafting New on the Old. In other parts of lSurope they had seen tho result of foolish efforts suddenly to graft, by acts of violence, new forms of government upon old systems,, and to set' up the domination of tho proletariat as against that of a privileged section of the community. If they were to retain their system of government as expressed through the parliamentary vote, they should hasten redress of the wrongs which clearly existed and which weighed do™ the lives of the poort They should impress ion. their own Ministers tho imperative necessity of losing no time in the faithful fulfilment of. those ,assurfviiQes .and. promises which were given to the masses of their people when the Government appealed for the people's vote ill Decombor last year. Labour had now the greatest opportunity ever presented to it, and Parliament also , had tho greatest lopportunity it over possessed. "Where private enterprise failed, he thought the Government, should employ tho organised forces, at its disposal. Labour, Mr. Clynes said in conclusion,' had been the saviour of tho country, and if it could be patient now it.would render an eternal service to its own class. It was in that spirit that lie wanted its power to be used. ■