UNIONS AND TRADE COUNCILS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 9, 10 July 1909, Page 9

UNIONS AND TRADE COUNCILS.

PROPOSED SECESSIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Enquiries made in connection with the secession of unions from the Trades Council show that a serious crisis has arisen. Several important unions have decided to secede from the council, and to hold aloof from it so long as it preaches advanced Socialistic doctrines and follows its present political policy. There have been differences at the council board for a considerable time ; the introduction of outside politics seems to have had a very disturbing effect. Recently young unionists have been appointed delegates to the council, and they, with a few older members, have brought into the discussions ideas that are far too advanced for many older unionists. ' Political feeling has become so strong that it has dominated nearly everything the council has done lately. Dreadnoughts, surpluses, Ministerial changes, and other subjects of very general interest have usurped the place formerly given to questions connected intimately with the union's affairs. Some of the delegates apparently have tried to stem the flood of political utterances, and they have failed, and now several, after expressing their utter disapproval of the new order of things, have decided to abjure their allegiance, and to let the council, with its advanced Socialism, its political discussions, and its aspirants for political honours, go its own way. Four large unions have announced their intention to secede. Probably the most independent amongst these is the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners. It, does not represent all the carpenters in Christchurch. It is one of the oldest trades organisations in this city, having been established in tha early 'seventies, and it has always been a powerful force in unionism. Other organisations which have seceded are the Coachw arkers' Union, the Bricklayers' Union, and the Hotel, Club, and Restaurant Employees' Union. Together, they represent a large number of unionists. As far as can be ascertained, they are practically of one mind in regard to the council's policy. DIFFERENT OPINIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH — MESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, 9th July. One prominent member of a trades union said that the ordinary business was frequently sot aside to allow political discussions of a Socialistic character. "We want more equitable representation and less Socialistic talk," he said. "The people will not stand these rabid Socialists, and you cannot blame them. They talk too much at the council meetings, and waste time. We want to be able to do ordinary business that is of importance to the unions, and not talk about Socialism that can do no good." Another unionist, who had been in Auckland recently, said that there the same trouble had been experienced. The council was dominated by the delegates of large unions, and too much time was wasted on political discussions, matters brought forward by the trade unions being often shelved. Several of the unions had seceded, and more were talking about it. Mr. A. D. Hart, president of the council, interviewed in regard to the suggested secession, said the constitution provided that no political matters should be discussed, but the council was eager for political reform, and he contended that the council could do nothing else for the benefit of the workers withrwt introducing politics. A committee had .•been set up with a view to altering the constitution/ and he believed that in the near future the council would form itself into more of a political organisation than an industrial association. Studying the industrial aspect was not going to benefit the workers nearly as much as studying the political aspect, for in political action they could get reforms carried, through presenting a determined front to the Government and the people. The majority of the council was anxious for a straight-out Labour Party in the future. It must be a fighting force to secure the rights whic~ the workers were denied now. j [press association.] • RETRENCHMENT. AUCKLAND, 9fch July. Discussing the question cf a 'Government retrenchment scheme to-day, Mr. 'Bart Kent, chairman of the Auckland. Chamber of Commerce, stated it as a positive fact that the total expenditure of New Zealand for 1908-9 exceeded its total revenue by £584,328. "You will remember that the Prime 'Minister at, ■Invercargill on Ist May last, stated that the Dominion had made a profit of >£184,321," said »Ir. Kent, "but this is not so. Tho difference between the actual revenue of the country and its expenditure {including the amount transferred to public works which cannot rightly be excluded) is £584,328 clear loss, as I have already mentioned. Hence, all the strenuous efforts of the Government in the way of retrenchment." i