THE TRADE SLUMP

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1920, Page 4

THE TRADE SLUMP

AN INTERESTING REVIEW

*AUSTBAUIAN & N.Z. CABWS ASSOCIATION]

LONDON, September 19

The trade slump in 'Britain is causing economists, publicists and leading employers to anxiously search for an industrial solution of post war problems. On one hand there are thousands of unemployed throughout the country with winter prospects of their number .being trebled, And simultaneously a number of industries most notably coal mining and bouse .building, whose persistent cry and imperative need is for an indreased output, are threatened with stoppage.’ U is pointed out that the {manufacturer, is handicapped by the ever present menace of strikes, excess profits tax, labor unrest and trade union rules. The enormous cost of production lias reached a. position causing despair. One wartime legacy has been slow coming, owing to the kindly treatment of munition Workers, who now demand high wages for easy, slack work, while a typical case against trade unionism is furnished bv Lord Weir, -who announced he could employ another two thousand men immediately, but was prevented by the workmen’s rules. These not only hamper the employer, but arc embitterin')- ex-service'men, who returned from the battlefields to see the works crowded with exempted. The ex-servicers, in many cases are .actually prevented by trade unions from learning a trade. This .is at the root of the trouble of the housing shortage. One solution advocated is, td make wages depend upon the powers of production, not upon the power of striking. The Government must organise a general reconstruction and stabilisation of wages on an output basis, which will ultimately mean more money for all, Mid giving the manufacturers a firm basis upon which to develop. The danger of the country becoming overpaid and consequently under producing, must be avoided at all costs.