Mr. Barnes, in a statement published on Monday, described the
measures taken by the Government to allay industrial unrest, in accordance with the advice of the recent Commissions of Inquiry. Under the new Munitions Act, the grievances of skilled workers who earned less than unskilled persons would be investigated and remedied. The prices of foodstuffs would be reduced and illicit profits checked. Recruiting had been transferred to civilian care. Plans for housing the people after the war were being prepared ; something might be done now in certain areas. The supply of beer would be increased by a third. The agricultural labourer had secured by statute a minimum wage of 25e. a week. The scale of compensation for injured workmen and for Kamen on torpedoed vessels had been raised. Discharged soldiers would in all cases receive pensions at once. The cumulative effect of these Orden, and proposals should be considerable. Labour's main demand, or which the whole country joined, has been for energetic and tactful administration.
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