Rebuilding Britain: A Survey of Problems of Reconstruction After the World WarHopkinson, Alfred, Sir
History
Rebuilding Britain: A Survey of Problems of Reconstruction After the World War
Hopkinson, Alfred, Sir
Reconstruction (1914-1939) -- Great Britain
Under this head it will be convenient to treat not only of the steps to
be taken to prevent disputes or secure their settlement by peaceful
means, and to promote a more hearty co-operation of employer and
employed, but also of various other questions affecting industry, such,
for example, as increased production and increased saving. Without
industrial peace there will be no industrial or commercial prosperity,
and without a fair amount of prosperity it will be very difficult if not
impossible to preserve industrial peace. As the War proceeds these
questions become more and more urgent; after it, they will be more
serious and more pressing than ever. Already the need for taking certain
steps at once and for preparing a future policy is recognised. Anyone
who wishes to have before him a clear statement of the industrial
situation and of the effects of the War upon it, cannot do better than
read, and read with care, the revised memorandum prepared under the
auspices of the Garton Foundation and published in October, 1916.
Singularly impartial and judicious, it does not gloss over the
difficulties and perils which must be faced, but throughout there is a
note of hopefulness--an anticipation of a better state of things--if
while "the forces of change are visibly at work we do not allow them to
hurry us blindly with them," but "direct them along the path of ordered
progress." Some of the specific remedies suggested, of the proposals
adumbrated, may be open to criticism--criticism is, indeed, invited--but
it is evident that nothing is suggested that has not been the subject of
careful consideration of the facts. Some of the proposals have already
been put into fairly definite form in the Whitley Report, and have
received the approval of the Government. Industrial Councils are to be
established. The object of them will be to consider "constructive
measures for the improvement of industrial conditions and the increase
of efficiency." They will not be confined to specific points of dispute.
They are to be established in industries which are "highly organised,"
where the employer and employed already possess some definite
association or union which represents them respectively. There are to be
national, district, and workshop councils set up. Their object differs
from that of the Conciliation Boards for Arbitration or the Trade Boards
established to settle some specific question such as a minimum wage to
be paid, or some question that has given rise to a dispute between
employers and employed. Such a mode of settlement is a great advance on
leaving differences to be settled by an industrial war--a strike or
lock-out. The Boards will still be needed, just as arbitration tribunals
will be required to settle specific disputes between nations. The aim in
both cases is to substitute arbitration for war (or its equivalent) or
threats of war. Something more is aimed at in the establishment of
Industrial Councils. They contemplate a "continuous and constructive
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