ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW

While every effort is being made to speed up the machinery of discharge, the economic situation must not be overlooked. The only way in which difficulties can be overcome is by taking each industry, carefully considering its peculiarities, and ascertaining where the block is which prevents expansion and development. The help of associations of masters and men in advising the department as to the key factors of the situation in each particular trade is being looked for. The Government recognise the necessity of fostering the confidence of trade and industry in order that it may be revived and industry and labour absorbed. Although in some trades there is a desire for control to be continued, the Government feel that official control should be relaxed as owing to the war and Government action, are at present short on the market. It is also hoped that Labour, in return for better conditions, higher wages, and shorter hours, will be prepared to negotiate on the question of the limitation of output. Other points will have to be dealt with by the Government in trying to help industry to get back to its old prosperous footing. The actual financing of industries, it is understood, is not in the programme of the Government, but certain key industries have, in one way or another, to be assisted. In order that building be facilitated, steps are being taken to get the brick industry restarted, and Government orders on a large scale have been given for bricks, windows, and doors. Illustrating the difficulties of the subject, it may be mentioned that building operations at home are delayed through the absence of roadmen and road plant in France, and, until France can get her own roadmen demobilised, ours cannot be released for service in this country.