7 APRIL 1928, Page 2

On. Tuesday the Committee on Industry and Trade which was

appointed by .111r. MacDonald in 1924 issued the fourth instalment of their important Report. It is believed that the next instalments will follow quickly, and that the seventh and last will be published by next August. The• most -important matter dealt with in the fourth instalment is the cost of production and distribu- tion in relation to wages. It is discouraging to learn that between 1907 and 1924 the increased output of the worker did not correspond to the improvements in plant (labour-saving machinery, for instance) and in methods of production. During the period the power capacity per head increased by 50 per cent. The Committee, in effect, exonerate the . worker by pointing out that the higher productivity which was expected was neutralized by the reduction of working hours, by unemployment, and by other influences. . .

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