LABOUR NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 213, 9 September 1933, Page 16

LABOUR NOTES.

UNION ACTIVITIES.

(By INDUSTRIAL TRAMP.)

UNION MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK,

Tuesday, iSeptcmibcr 12 — Freezing Worfos

Employees. Wednesday, September 13—« as Employees. Thursday, September 14— Dairy Employees.

JOURNEYINGS,

Since last week's notes were written, "Industrial Tramp' , has paid a ehort visit to Wellington, and found matters much the same as in Auckland. In the main streets of the city there does not appear to be very much industrial activity, and in the matter of 'building activities this is only to be expected, for, like the other centres, especially Auckland, Wellington in the boom times built far ahead of its permanent requirements, and perhaps ahead of the times, and it will take a year or two to adjust matters. I had no opportunity of observing how the suburbs are faring in work for skilled artisans; I am afraid they are mostly engaged on relief works. I was informed that the subsidising of skilled work for private owners by the Unemployment Board —which scheme, by the way, etops next week—has been largely availed of by the Wellington people; but in the city proper I noticed great activity in clearing the site for the new railway station, and also a large fcrro-concrcte building in Brandon Street in course of ejection.

In commercial circles there is not much evidence yet of improvement in business, and for this the high exchange rate is largely blamed. Stocks are low, firms being chary of ordering while things are so uncertain. The Government, of course, has to bear the Maine for this condition, which is aggravated by the unemployment tax «nd sales tax, for which they can hardly be blamed, except by those who say "they should have taxed the other fellow," whoever he might be. On thie opinions vary according to the person who gives the advice.

On the exchange question, however, there appears to be only one opinion, that the sooner it is dropped the better for the Dominion. I have travelled in the train with farmers who bewail the fact that they are "paying through the nose" for all they have to use on their farms, and ignore the gentle suggestion that the obnoxious tax was imposed for their especial benefit. I have hobnobbed with commercials and shopkeepers, with workers belonging to my own class, and one and all are vigorous in their denunciation of high exchange. The local bodies have pronounced opinions, and councillors of various local ■bodies strongly support the resolution of the Auckland City Council passed at its last meeting denouncing the high rate. This lias eince been endorsed by resolution of the Wellington City Council, and smaller local bodies are following on with their endorsements. If the Coalition Government had to go to the country this year instead of at the end of the extended term, I am afraid it would get ehort shrift.

LYTTELTON BY-ELECTION. Before my notes appear next week, the Lyttelton election will have been held, and in Wellington, which ie nearer to the "storm centre" than we are, there is a deep conviction that it is only a question of what majority Mrs. McCombs will win by. Speaking to those who know the Lyttelton electorate well, I gathered the opinion that, apart from party polities, a very large sympathy vote will be polled for the lady who is fighting for the seat so long held by her late husband. Thie may be true; I hope it will; but it is very hard to forecast what will happen in political contests, and the late member always had to fight hard for his seat. In the meantime, prominent speakers from Labour and anti-Labour parties have flocked to the Cathedral City to speak on behalf of their respective candidates, and the pace between now and Wednesday will be a cracker. If Mrs. McCombs is returned at the head of the poll the Labour party will be proud of the distinction of having the first woman elected to the New Zealand Parliament as a prominent member of their party. Auckland has tried for that distinction for years, but the electors thought otherwise.

RELIEF WORK IN N.S.W. The New South Wales Minister of Labour and Industry (Mr. Dunningham) stated recently that approximately 200 councils and shires had adopted the Government's emergency work-for-the-dole scHeme. He added that the Cabinet had decided to continue the scheme for another twelve months, and to, make additional funds available to enable 40,000 men to be employed. He further stated that the Government would make an allowance to councils to meet child endowment taxation, workers' compensation, and other charges. This allowance would be equivalent to 5 per cent of the gross wages paid. The Sutherland Shire Council has decided, owing to the cost involved, to stop all work under the Government's relief scheme. The men who have been employed under it will now go hack on the dole. The council president stated that overhead charges and taxes cost the council £25 for every £100 spent by the Government, and this obviously could not continue. If the council went on with the scheme it would have to borrow money or dismiss all the permanent employees of the council. The Warringah Shire Council has also intimated that it intends to abandon the system. The strike among the unemployed in a number of the suburbs of Melbourne, against being compelled to work for the dole, is still on. It must be kept in mind (writes a Labour writer) that working for the dole is not only undermining the position of the workers, but is also affecting that of the business community. Up to date the unions have subscribed more than £800 to assist the unemployed in their fight.

UNEMPLOYMENT IN ITALY. One feature of unemployment relief in Italy is that no unemployed person, receives a grant for more than three months. After that he and his family are sent to the district of his origin, whose authorities are then 'bound to provide for them in one way or another. All the municipalities are instructed to do as much outdoor work as possible, and always to select men from the nearest source. The National Government has tremendous undertakings in afforestation and land reclamation, by which means vast areas of marsh are being, or have been, transformed into healthy and fruitful land, and these,works continue to employ large numbers of men. Obviously, says a Labour paper, the Italian public secure some return for the unemployment grant, and the men escape the demoralising idleness which is one of the inevitable results of dole I system*.