SOCIAL REFORM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 October 1941, Page 4

SOCIAL REFORM

SOME IMPORTANT STEPS POSSIBLE AT INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE. PREPARATION FOR POST-WAR ACTION. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 7. The “Manchester’ Guardian,” commenting on the forthcoming meeting of the International Labour Organisation. . in New York, which the newspapers suggests will have matters of some importance before it, says: “If it acts on ' the report of the deputy-director, MrPhelan, which it is to discuss, it will take some important steps in preparation for post-war reconstruction and fulfilment of the great social aims to which the Allied Powers and the United States are committed. “Mr Phelan is anxious that the 1.L.0., which associates governments with the authorised representatives of the organised employers and workers, should begin work on problems of the peace. “ ‘lt would seem appropriate,’ he suggests, ‘at a turning-point in the world’s history, when the general social objective of economic security is to be the mainspring of concerted political effort, that the 1.L.0. should be solemnly charged with its share of the task, . and that thereby men and women throughout the world should be given a guarantee that their governments will vigorously pursue the effective realisation of such a policy through its instrumentality. The formation of such a social mandate would constitute a general declaration of international social policy and would give the 1.L.0. a programme to implement for completion with all the detail necessary’.” This is a suggestion to which the governments to be represented in New York would do well to give immediate attention, so that their delegates may speak with some authority and a beginning can be made without delay of waiting for another conference. Mr Phelan sets out for discussion the main points and principles which such a social mandate might cover, and these are worth indicating in summary as a first attempt to expand the general phrases of our peace aims. Mr Phelan’s points are: Elimination of unemployment; establishment of machinery for vocational training and retraining; improvement of social insurance in all its fields and in particular, its extension to all classes of workers; institution of a wage policy aimed at securing a just share of the fruits of progress for the worker; a minimum living wage for those who are too weak to secure it for themselves; measures to promote better nutrition and to provide adequate housing and facilities for recreation andjculture; greater equality of occupational opportunity; improved conditions of' work; an international public works policy for the development of the world's resources; organisation of migration for employment and settlement under adequate guarantees , for all concerned; and collaboration between employers and workers in the initiation and application of the economic and social measures.” It is authoritatively stated that the Lord Privy Seal, Mr C. R. Attlee, will go to New York as the representative of the British Government at the conference, which is to meet at the end of this month.