21 JUNE 1930, Page 3

The International Labour Office The International Labour Conference, which began

last week in 'Geneva, has produced some piquant situa- tions. The Conference is in committee for the examina- tion of three prnposed Conventions, one on hours in coal mines, another on hours of salaried employees, and a third on the vexed question of forced labour. Last Saturday, moreover, the Governing Body at last came to grips with the revision of the Washington Hours Conven- tion. The employers' final exhibition of Fabian tactics was overruled by 14 votes to 7, but the British Govern- ment saw 'fit to abstain from voting. The Indian dele- gations, and ,representatives from Neiv Zealand, Cuba, and other-countries which are not usually prominent at Geneva, have been active in these debates.

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