New-York tribune., 1919-01-25
Barnes, British Commission
er, Foresees Elimination
of Low Wage Competition
Evils Will Be Corrected
England Has Draft of Con-
ditions Ready; Many 9th
er Proposals To Be'Added
By Frederick Moore
.New York Tribune
SDecinI Cable .Ser,,irc


Special Cable Service
copyright. 1919. New York Tribune Inc)
PARIS, Jan. 2i.-The cause of labor,
which the peace conference plans to
take up Immediately. was the subject
of an interview given to-day by George
Barnes, a member Of the British COM
mission here.
IL can AFFIRM" said Mr.. Barnes, chat
the cause of labor at this momentous
conference will be pleaded before a
deeply sympathetic audience.
Although personally do not repre-
sent the Labor party, think my claim
will be admitted to represent labor"
Mr.. Barnes is one of the most con-
spicuous and influential British advo-
Gates of labor, holding the esteem of
all classes. He is member of the
British War Cabinet and was elected
recently to Parliament by an over
whelming majority in that centre of
British radicalism, Glasgow. His state
ment may be taken substantially as
the view of the British mission to the
peace conference. He said:
1.-THE international character and i'm
portance of labor have been recognized
as never before. A unique opportunity
offers itself for the settlement of
many aspects of the problem. The
peace conference regards the labor
question as one which must be dealt
with along with the question of terri
torial adjustments and other matters
arising directly from the war.
Better Order Aim of Conference.
Before the war unregulated, COM
petitive industry had produced evils
and many dangers to the peace of
the world. Increased production had
not brought increased comfort or con-
tent, but on the contrary had given
increased power to wealth over mems
lives. At the same time education
everywhere produced sensitive men
whose wants increased disproportion-
ately to their means Of satisfying
them.
"The peace conference hopes to lay
the foundations of a better order under
which more humane conditions will be
maintained. The conference will con-
Germ itself in the main with the CON
stitution of the necessary machinery
for preparing international conven-
tions regarding hours of labor, holi-
days, protection of women and chill
drcn and the regulation of labor con-
ditions generally. The future constitu-
ton of international organizations
will include the representation of en-
ployers aad employed, as we'll as of
states desiring to obtain the co0pera-
tlon and good will of all concerned
"Previous efforts to better the con-
ditions of labor have been compara-
lively unfruitful owing to the lack of
central international organization,
including proper representation of
to obtain, under the mandate Of the
league Of nations, better place in
the scheme of things for industry,
while interfering little with the in
tcrnal affairs of the nations.
Hope to Raise Standard.
There are proposals for the conven-
ing Of a special international confer
ence at the earliest possible moment.
This conference would take I'D the
work begun. at Berne in 1905 and re-
sumo the international regulations in
stituted in 1918, but interrupted by
the war. These include regulations
prohibiting night work for women and
children, prescribing hours of labor,
minimum wages, weekly half holiday
and the protection of children from
protiteering employers
ut is hoped to raise the standards
of labor throughout the world by elm.
mating international competition bv
low wage countries.
Great Britain already has drafted
a scheme of proposed labor conditions.
and l believe the American and French
delegations will present proposals. The
French attitude toward these vital
questions is, l think, significantly il
lustrated by Premier Clemenceau's
reply the other day to deputation
from the French Confederation of
Labor. Clemenceau spoke for himself
rather than for the French government.
favoring the eight-hour day.
Various schemes will be submitted
In writing and committed to special
commissions for harmonizing funda-
mentals. | am sanguine that all diff
culties will be overcome by spirit
not only of mutual concession but Of
appreciation of the fact that the well
fare of humanity is being sought.
World Standard Impossible.
II do not think there is chancc
OF attaining Standardization of wages
throughout the world. This is impos-
sible at this juncture, which depends
upon the efficiency of labor. For ex-
ample labor in India, where children
OF tender age and women are indus
trla workers they receive wages and
work hours bearing no resemblance to
a vfn 1.