UNEMPLOYMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1921, Page 4

UNEMPLOYMENT

shorter time proposals. nv T JJ I , EO I! A Pit —PRESS ASSN., COPYIII (i TIT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. LONDON, January 1. Cabinet proposes to place all tile Government’s industrial establishments on short time in order to provide employment for the greatest possible number of work-people. The Government ;is also asking local authorities inid (Vommereial undertakings to adopt a similar course, instead of dismissing employees. The co-operation of the trade unions is invited.

HOSTILITY EXPECTED FROM. WORKERS. LONDON, January 1The Government’s shorter time proposals are based on the satisfactory working of the system in many cotton mills in Lancashire, where it was introduced after the workers had ballotted overwhelmingly in its favour, but the workers in the Woolwich Arsenal which is turning out locomotives, trucks and milk churns, instead of guns, and also the Portsmouth Dockyard workers, are expressing antagonism. Various trade unions are failing meetings to consider the proposals. Mr J. R, Clynes, Labour M.P. for North-East Manchester, predicts general hostility from the trade unions, and declares that taking work away from unemployed is a makeshift policy, and will reduce wages below the level of subsistence, and lessen the public buyjjii rr powT, on which tlu‘ revival of trade depends. Mr Tom Mann regards the proposals as absolutely sound in principle, and promises his heartiest support, provided that a living wage is maintained. FACING THE PROBLEM. LONDON, January 2. .Besides the -shorter time scheme, Cabinet is establishing a special committee -of representatives of the employers, the trades unions, and the Government with a view to arranging terms of reference to inavestignte the whole problem of unemployment and devise a permanent plan to deal with it. Iho committee will meet daily.