DEFENCE PLANTS

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21371, 15 March 1941, Page 11

DEFENCE PLANTS

BRITAIN AND AMERICA PLANS FOR EXPANSION HUGE CONTRACTS GIVEN (United Press -Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 13 The co-ordinator of defence production, Mr William S. Knudsen, reported today that the British and American Governments have expanded 784 defence plants in the United States at a cost estimated at 2,138,000,000 dollars. Britain had financed 61 plants at a cost of 171,000,000 dollars. Since June 1, 1940, said Mr Knudsen, the United States Army and Navy had awarded contracts totalling 12,500,000,000 dollars. This had resulted in the re-employment of 1,500,000 men. He predicted a huge speeding up of production within three months. The Chairman of the Naval Committee of the House of Representatives, Mr Carl Vinson, today asked for quick approval by Congress of legislation to eliminate stoppages of work. He said that during 1940 and up to the middle of February strikes had resulted in the loss of 7,817,000 manhours of labour, sufficient to make •125 bombers. Mr Vinson added that the American people had the right to expect co-operation by all elements carrying on the defence programme. He 6aid that his Bill for arbitration, while requiring both employers and workers to postpone certain normal rights, was needed badly. Right to Strike Postponed “ There is no question,” said Mr Vinson, “ but that labour is asked by these Bills to postpone, during conciliation efforts, the exercise of its right to strike. “ There is no question but that employers are asked to postpone, during conciliation and mediation efforts, the exercise of their right to the lock-out and of their right to pay lower wages, lengthen hours, and make other changes in conditions of employment. “ These are sacrifices the employers and employees engaged in defence production are being asked to make.” Mr Vinson predicted that people would insist during the present emergency, that union membership shall not be made a condition of an individual’s employment in the service of the country.