FIVE YEARS' TRUCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 61, 6 December 1920, Page 8

FIVE YEARS' TRUCE

SIR CHARLES WAKEFIELD'S SCHEME

ITS AUTHOR EXPLAINS

Somo hundreds of letters have been received by Sir Charles Wakefield from business men and working men thanking him. i'or the inspiring suggestion he lias made i'or bringing about a five- ■years' truce to industrial disputes, says the Loudon "Observer."

In an interview, Sir Charles explained fully his eohonio for a groat representative conference of employers and employed—"a sort of economic and industrial Parliament"—which, given good will and with the whole facts of tho national and international situation before them, would, ho believes, sottlo down to discuss a definite truce to dispute lor a definite period. Ho pointed to tho abnormal and dangerous times through which wo are passing to show the imperative necessity of taking 16ano and courageous action, an<l lie expressed tho belief that an appeal to tho common sense of the country, if launched at once, could not fail. "My lotter advocating a 'iivo years' truce in industrial disputes was written," Sir Charles said, "in the liope of attracting public attention to the special circumstances whioh render our disturbed domestio situation so serious. I recollect tho fact that iivo years ago it was my privilege as Lord Mayor of London to suggest to a Mansion House conference of employers and employed a five years' truce. Subsequent events proved that, in face of tho foreign foe, the nation was as ready as ever it was to sink its differences and find strength and victory in unity. Tho war ended suddenly, and tho unexpected nature of its end was, I think, partly the cause of the undoubted weakening of the national moral that followed tho armistice.

"Now, what has to be done to-day is to bring home to the consciousness of the people the fact that times are not yet to bo considered normal. That, I know, seems a Bimple and self-evident proposition, but, as a matter of fact, few of us act as if with a clear knowledge of the true position of affairs. The juggernaut of war is not easily stopped, and to-day, nearly two years' after tho signing of the armistice, it still takes its toll of victims. The victims now are mothers and children, dying of starvation in Central and Northern Europe, ex-service men in every country unable to obtain re-entry into oivil lifo and occupation, and indeed millions of honest folk struggling for subsistence azainst almost overwhelming odds

"It is not as obvious and dramatic a spectacle as that of a great war at its most hitter crisis, but as a. reality it in almost equally grave. In a word it is European civilisation, to which wo owe all tho glory of tho past and the achievements of tho present age, which is at stako. It is European civilisation ngninst starvation and disease, and tho tragedy of it iii.that the majority of the people in this country appear to bo absolutely unaware of tho existence and nature of tho struggle. :

"There is a very strong case even in normal times for tbo creation of an organisation representing employers and employed on equal terms, to which trade disputes should in certain circumstances

be referral for consideration and advice. Such a 'body should not infringe upon tho rights of either sido to organise and confer when, where, and how they please. It. would adjudicate with a full knowledge of all tho facts and with absoluto fairness, and its findings would' express, as nearly as any man-mado organisation could, the lovo of justice and. tho desire for general happiness which is shared by iuo'st of us. "Although it would have no legal power to enforce its docisions it would

interpret the supremacy of the goneral interest over any sectional interest. It is difficult to see why this idea was not nioro fully worked out before tho war, but I think I am right in saying that it was never givon a full or a fair trial. However, I am not at this moment concerned with permanent measures for dealing with industrial disputes' after they have reached a certain stnge. What I am anxious to do is to convince tho public, and through thorn tho Government, of tho imperative necessity of treating the circumstances of tho day as in the highest degree abnormal and

dangerous. ' "If is no uso at nil disguising the fact that in the two years that have elapsed

ainco the conclusion of tho major hostilities neither we nor any other nation have made the progress -towards pacification and reparation for which we had reason to hopo. War, not peace, reigns over enormous areas of Europe. The terriblo scourge of typhus is. creeping eastwards. Trade is hesitant and apparently weakening; and in spite of tho worid demand for food, clothing; and all kinds of machinory which British _ producers could supply, unemployment is Increasing. "My suggestion is that a great representative conference should be called, representing in equal numbers Capital and Labour, to which the Government should give the fullest possiblo information on the- world-need for British good? the causes of the prevalent dislocation of international trade, and the prospects of improvement. "Without going into the political aspects of the question, it is obvious, for example, that we do not know tho whole truth about Russia, and it is equally obvious that tho Russian situation is tho key to a great part of the trade stagnation and tho ever-in-creasing cost of living. "As things are we are not pulling our full weight abroad, and at home some of us are taking short cuts towards higher wagfcs and prosperity, unconscious of the fact that broader views and greater patienco arc necessary if tho corner that hides peace ifnxa our war-worn, eyes is at last to be turned. "Given good will. I have faith pat, with a full knowledge of what it is in our power to do to restore simething liko tvre-wnr stability hero and throughout E'nrope, such a conference would bo willing to fpttle down io discuss, in appropriate sections, the details of u definite truco to disputes for a definite period. I have suggested five years, but I a working agreement for three years would bo invaluable."

The broad lines for the sub-committees of the conferencV to cover niifjlit be. Sir Chnrlcs sujrscstecl:— 1. An attempt to standardise wages schemes on the bnsis of a enst-of-livim* movable scale, either for the perioiTrtf tho truce or for so lonj: as tho excess profits tax, or any similar measure is in force. 2. 'Methods of inc'rezMn? output and establishing production under 'undisturbed conditions. 3. A limitation of working hours with., the double purpose of Avoiding over-fatißiic to tho workers and of absorbing tho maximum number r.f those at present unemployed. i. In co-orwration with the Govern-

mcnt nnd European Powers, manufacturers and workers to evolve schemes _ for. using our products in fe-ostnblishing the impoverished peonies and industries of Europe. Tho last part of tho task. Sir Charles thinks, might fittingly bo allotted to the League of. Nations, and ho hope.? ilia United States would see some way of eo-oncrnting. "So far as the domestic part (.f the work is ooncorned." ho said, "what wo have to do first of all if to creato the right atmosphere for avoiding disputes. Tn my opinion no man is better filled to initiate such a scheme than Sir Pobcrf. Home, whom I havo found to ho persuasive, sympathetic;, and tactful. 110 is the right mini in the right place at the right time." '