BRITISH INDUSTRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 611, 13 March 1929, Page 9

BRITISH INDUSTRY

Melchett and Tillett Present Comprehensive Report on Problem DIAGNOSIS AND REMEDY (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association )_ (United Service) Received 11 a.m. LONDON, Tuesday. UNEMPLOYMENT, migration and the other factors affecting British industry, and peace in industry, are discussed in the latest report presented by Lord Melchett and Mr. Ben Tillett, chairman of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress, on behalf of the joint committee of the British Industrial Conference.

The recommendations of the committee include that the migration policy should be co-ordinated for the British Commonwealth by a joint committee, including employers and trades unionists; that migration funds should be largely increased by loans, the funds being controlled by a committee representative of industry under the chairmanship of a member of the Cabinet; that similar committees should be established in the Dominions, the programme extending for 20 years, and including that migration of community groups should be aimed at. Other recommendations include inquiry into pensions schemes, with a view to enabling pensions to be given at the age of 65, and thereby relieving the labour market. The raising of the school age should also be considered. The Government should create and maintain a development fund to finance important national schemes. EXPORT CREDIT EXTENSION The committee urges the extension of export credits, the reinstitution of more liberal trade facilities, while Government and municipal contracts should be placed in Britain under certain conditions, and a Crown Colonies’ Committee should be formed to enable development by placing orders for plant in Britain. The report adds that the rationalisation of industry in the widest sense should be pressed on as rapidly as possible in consultation with the trades unions, but should he introduced gradually, industries and firms establishing a labour reserve fund from their profits to assist displaced workers.

of the agriculture industry, and urges a Government inquiry into the currency and banking policy in which industrialists and financiers should participate, while the Treasury and the Bank of England should make every effort to implement the recommendations of the Genoa Conference. The committee states that there are so many basic factors governing the situation that it is at present possible only to indicate what measures should immediately be put into operation, and to generalise certain basic remedies to which the conference will give further attention later. The committee hopes that the revival of shipbuilding and allied industries will shortly improve employment, although it does not yet appear that the basic industries will immediately improve. It advocates evolving a national programme without delay. If that policy is carried out, there will be no ground for despair, because Britain’s activity and prosperity can he raised to a higher level than before, provided proper measures are taken. INFLATION HINDRANCE

The committee expressed the opinion that the monetary policy since 1919 has not assisted industry. The manner in which inflation has operated has hindered industrial recovery, while it has been difficult for all the British industries to adapt themselves to post-war conditions. The committee regrets that economic conferences and tariff resolutions have thus far been almost resultless. It adds that the improved Anglo-Russian trade will greatly assist unemployment. A full joint session of the conference adopted the report.

The report advocates exploration by means of more authoritative contact