Help from the Trades Unions Tne Prime Minister is to
be congratulated on his quick appreciation of the indispensable part which organised Labour must take in war work and especially in connexion with the Ministry of Supply. If between the Government, employers and Labour co-operation can be substituted for friction at the very beginning of the great munitions drive, an important step will have been taken towards winning the war. The political Labour leaders and the T.U.C. ask not only to be consulted ; they are convinced that they can help actively, smoothing away the problems of re-employment and dilution, and suggesting ways and means of quickening production. In his speech on Tuesday Mr. Chamberlain spoke of a forthcoming conference between the Minister of Labour and the representatives of the British Employers' Federation and the Trades Union Congress. In the work of the Ministry of Supply Labour representatives will be invited to serve on equal terms with business men on the Area Advisory Committees which Mr. Burgin is setting up. This is the right way of going to work. The trades unions wish to be assured that labour will not be exploited and that there will be no profiteering. Given that, they are willing to forgo their special peace-time privileges and do all they can to help and not obstruct the employers.
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