WAGES BOARDS. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 27, 31 July 1907, Page 10

WAGES BOARDS. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — In the report df the deputation which waited on the Minister for Labour Mr. Cooper, as president of tho recent Labour Conference, is said to have stated that they did liot want tho Wages Boards. I question whether any member of the deputation knows anything about the workings of tho Wages Boards from practical knowledge. If Wages Boards were established, the parties having matters before them would be practical men, discussing trado matttrs with practical mon; but as tho Conciliation Boards are now composed unions and employers ' generally discuss their trade disputes before laymen. Take tha tailoring trade, for instance. There is not a practical person as far as that trade, is concerned on tho board. Tho building, trade ha>> one representative in Mr. Bedford, who is a ■builder, and therefore a practical man on building trade matters 1 . ' If Wages .Boards wero established, whatever trado or calling was involved in a dispute the board would would bo com,posed ■of "masters and employers of that particular calling, and they could discuss matters in a practical manner. Air. Cooper also states that members of unions will not tako actho part in their unionb (as secretaries, I presume, for thoir organisations). Then who is it that gives ovidonco before the board and court but the members of the unions on .their behalf?. _JC am well awarp that fhrro jwo igentlomen connected with tho Trades' Hall 'Council who appear for .the, unions before ,tho~ board <and court, because they. arc. .conversant with their procedure. I also question \vhether the dolegates to the re•cent Labour Convention at Christchuroh (represented »7 per cent, of the unions. 'Let tho delegates put a vote to tho unions and sec whether they are in favour of Wages Boards or not. — I am, etc., UNIONIST.Wellington, 26th July.