INDUSTRIAL UNITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 262, 4 November 1932, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL UNITY.

TRADE UNION CONFERENCE. BASIC WAGE ADVOCATED. HELPING UNEMPLOYED BOYS. Representatives of unions affiliated to the Alliance of Labour, Tra-des and Labour Council, and Unemployed Association continued in conference this morning. Mr. G. Davis presided. The discussions were mostly on the lines of deciding a uniform policy in connection with industrial disputes, and the official report states that determination was shown strenuously to resist wage reductions and the cancellation of awards, witli the loss of conditions gained over many years of concerted action. It was decided that in cases where a union was not a part of a national federation no reduction in wages, longer hours, or loss o*T conditions should be accepted by any organisation without first consulting the standing committee which has been appointed, power having been given to the committee to introduce such tactics as it thinks fit against the employers, and the right to appeal for financial assistance for organisations on strike.

Relief work and rates of pay were fully discussed. Instances were given of local bodies employing tradesmen at their own particular trade and paying them at relief rates. It was decided that any agreements entered into by industrial unions should be conditional that no work engaged, on under agreements should be classified as relief work.

Basic Wage. A general discussion took place in regard to wages generally, and a resolution was unanimously carried in favour of a national basic wage, the motion setting out that representations should be made to the Government in connection with this question. It was further decided that a committee should be appointed, thoroughly re_prescntative of the conference, to work, in conjunction with a meeting of public men, whose names were to be mutually agreed upon, for the purpose of exploring the possibilities of giving effect to the foregoing resolution. It was decided to consult the Parliamentary Labour party with respect to the opposition of employers to new awards which affect industries now sheltered by protective tariffs. The possibility of the establishment in Wellington of a national office representative of the. whole of the industrial movement was discussed, and it was finally resolved that a trust fund now held by the national secretary of the Alliance of Labour should be utilised for its immediate or early establishment. Boys Considered. The unemployed youth problem came up for consideration, and it was. dccided to call on all unions and kindred organisations to inaugurate a campaign to enrol this section in the ranks of organised labour.

To-day's afternoon session was being partly devoted to a discussion on a remit presented by the Unemployed Association concerning compensation payable to relief workers for accidents while so employed. It was asserted by many of the delegates that relief workers were unfairly treated in regard to compensation, which in no way compared with that payable under ordinary employment.