24 OCTOBER 1925, Page 2

The trade unions have not exactly accepted the proposed elasticity,

but their delegates have initialled the recommendations. It will be remembered that the Committee- was set up last April owing to the consterna- tion caused when Messrs. Furness, Withy and Co. were compelled to place an order for motor ships in Germany. We entirely agree with the Morning Post that ,Ages and hburs could safely be left alone if only elaSticity could be introduced into trade union practices and the men would produce as much as they can in the allotted time. The assertion that the Unionist Government _is out to wreck trade unionism and to reduce wages is a commonplace of extreme Labour speeches. The Morning Post, we suppose, is regarded by these speakers as a stronghold of " Tory reaction." But here is the Morning Post praising the owners for refusing to touch wages. It is important to notice that many of the employers are convinced that, if,,their recommendations were accepted British yards could quite well hold their own, and that wages so far from falling would rise.

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