LABOUR NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 193, 15 August 1936, Page 21

LABOUR NOTES.

UNION ACTIVITIES.

. (By INDUSTRIAL TRAMP.), , UNION MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK. Monday, August 17—Shipwrights, Hairdressers, Cutters and Pressers, Electrical Workers. Wednesday, August 19—Laundry Workers, Electrical Workers' Committee. Thursday,: August 20—-Hatters. SUDDEN COLLAPSE. With the prospect of a critical analysis of the Budget taking at least a fortnight, it was expected that some interesting discussions would be released. Listeners-in had been promised two. evenings from Parliament House this week. On Tuesday evening we had the pleasure of hearing the Hon. Adam Hamilton as critic and Mr. James Thorn (Labour, Thames) as defender on the Budget. Mr. Hamilton in his cool, caustic style, and as unmoved as an old campaigner can well afford to be by interruptions, indicated what appeared to him to. be the defects and dangers of the Budget, and his style was the direct opposite to that of Mr. Thorn, who followed. him. Mr. Thorn has the reputation of being one of the best prepared speakers.in the, House; he spares no pains in preparing his matter, for he was for some years in the editorial chair of the "New Zealand Worker." This has a tendency to make him a trifle academic in his openings, but he is always interesting and, having a clear ringing voice, his speeches go out well over the air: Thursday was also announced as a broadcast night for other speakers, but in between the two evenings something happened. The debate was resumed on Wednesday afternoon with Mr. Wilkinson (Egmont) as critic and Mr. Barclay (Labour, Marsden) as defender, but Mr. Barclay evidently did not fill his allotted time and the Opposition did not have a man ready to take up the running. Obviously the Minister of Finance exercised his right of reply, for it is an understood thing that no two speakers on the same side speak in succession. Having replied, the debate abruptly finished, and speakers who were in readiness to speak in the evening and on Thursday had their speeches left on hand, and the listeners-in lost their broadcasting on Thursday. However, it is all for the benefit of the public, I suppose, for other bills can be brought down earlier and perhaps the session will close earlier. It is a bit mortifying, however, for such experienced generals as the Opposition leaders to find themselves out-generalled by the "new and inexperienced party on the Treasury Benches." THE POLICE ASSOCIATION. A deputation of 14 members of the police force, representative of all parts of the Dominion, recently waited on the Minister in Charge of Police, the Hon. Peter Fraser, regarding the proposed formation of a police association to protect their joint interests much on the lines adopted bv trades unions on behalf of the workers. The Minister informed the deputation that there was no need to make any special representations, as the Government was convinced that the formation of such an association was desirable, and it - would do everything possible to "encourage it. Banded together, the men of the police force would be better equipped to protest their own interests, and therefore the interests of the country would be better served, said the Minister. - In my own mind I am comparing thisreception with the reception afforded to

the movement amongst the local police in 1912 to form a police association in the Dominion. They came to me to act as secretary and organiser, for not one of them could venture out in the open with impunity. I did so. The Hon. A. L. Herdman was then Minister in Control of -the Pdlice Department as a member of the Reform Government, and his Cabinet did not welcome euch an innovation as a police association, and "Hansard" of that year contains a record of the sentiments held by the Minister on the movement. I was mentioned in very hard terms for acting as organiser and secretary, which, by the way, was purely honorary. Over 100 of the uniform men were enrolled, from as far distant as Napier and the North. As none of the plain-clothes men liad declared in favour of joining the association, only uniformed men constituted the membership. The meetings were held at the quietest period of the day, when few persons were about, and that time at the Trades Ilall was six o'clock, when the average man would be at home having his tea. We met on the stage in the big hall, with the drop scene down and no windows overlooking. As seven o'clock approached each meeting finished and the members got away before the regular union meetings started. The ground at the back of the Trades Hall 111 Nelson Street was not built on then and was unfenced, so it furnished a quiet "get-away," for it was winter time and got dark early. Each member received a book of rules, and I was asked to write a foreword to it, to endeavour to allay any uneasiness as to linking up with political bodies. I quote that foreword, taken from the little book, of which I have several yet in my de6k:—

It reads as follows: — "We wish it to be distinctly understood that this association has not been formed in antagonism to the Department, but rather with the idea of assisting to find the real grievances which exist in the service; and on all matters affecting the working of the police service, to put members' views before the officers in a concise and concrete form, and to urge in a proper and respectful manner the alterations and improvements which should be made to ensure the better working of the service, and the comfort and convenience of those who work it. To the members we would urge the necessity of doing their duty conscientiously, &o that the fact of being a member of the association will be a guarantee to the officers that the duties of such member will be fulfilled thoroughly and well. It must also be clearly understood that this association is not formed for political purposes, and has absolutely no connection with any other organisation political or industrial."

Compulsory Trade Union Abroad. An order of the Bulgarian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, of February 15, 1930, fixes the amount of the compulsory annual contribution to be paid by every worker, whether organised or not, to the National Confederation of Workers. The order also lays down the method of collection of the contributions in accordance with the legislation relating to the organisation of labour.

The amount of the contribution for 1936 is fixed at one and a half day's pay, payable in three instalments. The contribution must be collected exclusively by the employer, who shall deduct it from the wage and affix stamps in the social insurance booklet in the place provided for the purpose. The contribution is compulsory for all workers without distinction as to date of engagement or length of service.

Employers failing to carry out their duty of regularly collecting their workers' trade -union contributions may be prosecuted. The officials of the occupational organisation section of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, and the factory inspectors, are responsible for enforcing the order.