On This Day, 21 May 1918

Birmingham Daily Gazette

Tuesday 21 May 1918

THE PROBLEMS OF PEACE.

DECIDING VOICE DEMANDED BY LABOUR.

WAGES AND EMPLOYMENT.

The irresistible demand of Labour for a fuller national life, to be secured preferably by reasonable methods, was the dominant note struck yesterday at the annual conference of the Midland Counties Trade federation at Willenhall.

In his presidential address, Mr. C. J. Wright declared that it would be one of the most disastrous things in the history of the world if, in the act of trying to suppress militarism, we were to create and encourage it in this country. If that should happen, all the sacrifices of Labour would have been in vain.

He demanded for Labour the right to a big say in moulding reconstruction policy, and declared that in the future democracy would insist on having the deciding voice in such a vital matter as making war.

Mr. C. J. Wright (president) and Mr. G. W. Fox (vice-president) were re-elected, and it was decided to hold next year’s conference at Dudley.

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Among the resolutions, the demand was reiterated for 10s. old-age pensions commencing at 65, one delegate suggesting that excess profits might be earmarked for this purpose.

In submitted an eight hour day resolution, Mr. J. Taylor (general secretary) pointed out that this was already adopted by the majority of progressive employers. The resolution, which was adopted after general support, demanded that there must be no corresponding reduction in wages.

On the wages question the conference also adopted another resolution denouncing any attempt to reduce the customary rates of wages after the war, or to take advantage of demobilisation to make labour conditions worse.

A HIGHER STANDARD.

Mr G. W. Fox insisted that war rates must become permanent, as a step towards the improvement of the standard of life now demanded.

To a resolution by Mr. W. Bentley (Harness Furnishing Trades) demanding the reinstatement of discharged men under a penal cause, an amendment was submitted by the representative of the locksmiths throwing the responsibility on the Government.

Mr. Bellamy pointed out that in this district the majority of discharged men did not wish to go back, because employers were seeking to take advantage of them, instances of which were given. Eventually the resolution was adopted, the amendment being withdrawn.

THE COST OF LIVING. 

A strong resolution was adopted blaming the Government for its neglect in the matter of the unjustifiable increase in the cost of living.

Other resolutions called upon the Government to adopt a policy preventing unemployment, urging the continuance of the war machinery for the active co-operation of capital and labour and the community generally; calling for a Contracting Department under the Ministry of Labour; and demanding a minimum rate of 30s weekly under the Workmen’s Compensation Act, irrespective of earning capacity.