UNITY IN WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 April 1940, Page 9

UNITY IN WAR

I TRADE UNION POLICY IN BRITAIN ADDRESS BY SIR W. CITRINE. DEFENCE OF CO-OPERATION WITH GOVERNMENT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. April 8. In the third and last of a series of broadcasts on “Trade Unions in War Time” Sir Walter Citrine, general secretary of the Trade Unions Council, referred to the general aspects of the trade union war time policy. He dealt in particular with criticism regarding trade union action in collaborating with the Government. "Some of our critics seem to regard it as reprehensible, even wicked, for trade unions to have anything to do with any government not of our own political colour,” said Sir Walter. “Such people do not seem to realise that the Government administers not only the political affairs of the nation, but in war time has almost complete control over the way in which our industries are carried on.

“Naturally the Government must take the final responsibility for its decisions. But no Government, whatever its political colour, can afford to ignore the views of important sections of the community. Particularly is this true when these sections are powerful and well organised. But power carries with it. as at the end of the last war. responsibility, and it is not for the trade union movement to shirk its obligations to the people as a whole. Our movement recognises that it has responsibilities as well as rights, especially at a time when the nation is engaged in a life or death struggle.” Sir Walter Citrine then dealt with problems affecting directly the workers in industry, such as wages and conditions of work as well as wider economic and social questions. The trade unions were co-operating in every way to look after the interests of absent comrades during the war. and he added: "However long the war lasts much the same problems will have to be faced. The trade unions are concerning themselves now about post-war problems, and in the meantime have resolved that when the troops come back they will do so to conditions of life compatible with the sacrifice they have made.” Sir Walter Citrine concluded with a tribute to the close collaboration between the British and French trade unions through the formation of the Anglo-French trade union council, and said: “We have that by the exchange of views and experiences we may be able to strengthen both our movements.”