RESOLUTION.
{. This Conference of representatives of workpeople
engaged in the various branches of the iron and steel industry
and having a stake therein second to that of no other interest,
view with grave eoncern the failure to secure such a conscious
planning and organisation of the industry as the present
situation demands for its future suceess as a progressive
force in the economie life of the country.
2 We assert that there is no justification for the defeatist
attitude which appears to prevail amongst those who are
in control of the industry, but that, on the contrary, its
potentialities are such as to inspire the greatest confidence
in its future, if the necessary measures are taken without
delay to organise its productive resources and the sale and
distribution of its produets, and to secure adjustment of its
relations with its competitors by a sufficiently authoritative
and representative body being established capable of speaking
for the industry as a whole.
3. We are of opinion that, taking the long view, this
would not be secured by any crude expedient of Tariff im-
position which has no regard to the necessity for financial
adjustment and organisation, nor to the extent to which
the industry enters into the requirements of other important
trades. On the other hand, we assert that in any scheme of
pfficient national organisation of the industry, it is essential
for its healthy development that provision shall be made
for obtaining reasonable security in its home market by the
proper control and regulation of those forms of uneconomie
sompetition which prevail.
4, In view of the urgency of the situation and having
regard to the national welfare, as it now appears that the
gonflicting interests of private enterprise make impossible
the necessary action with regard to the industry, we call
upon Parliament to give the Government legislative
authority to bring the indusiry within the control of a publie
utility eorporation, and to secure the mobilisation of the
best organising ability, technical knowledge and experience
for the effective organisation of the industry on the following
lines *—
(a)
(bh)
(¢)
The application of a national scheme of planning of
the industry in all its main branches in well-defined
regions of organisation with Managerial Boards
responsible for the operation of the indusiry in their
respective regions,
A Central Board for the general supervision of the
regional organisations, but allowing such local auto-
nomy as will secure the fullest degree of initiative
to produce the best results consistent with a sound
national policy.
Among other things, the Central Board would arrange
for an adequate supply and distribution of ores and
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