THE POSITION ELSEWHERE.

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

THE POSITION ELSEWHERE.

DIFFICULT*" IN AUCKLAND. [BT TBLEGBAPJ — PHKSS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, 9th July. The president of the Auckland Trades and Labour Council (Mr. T. .Long) states that the unemployed difficulty in Auckland is a very acute one. Five hundred is a very low estimate of the number of men out of work, and, as a result of the continued wet weather at present being experienced, there is a great deal of distress. A committee has been set up for the purpose of arranging a public meeting, which all the Auckland members of Parliament will be invited to attend. "FOR UNIVERSAL BENEFIT." DUNEDIN, 9th July. A meeting of the unemployed members of the combined building trades unions was held this afternoon in the Trades Hall, about 250 being present, a large number being comparatively young men. Some of those present, it was atteiwards ascertained, were general labourers, and not connected with the building trades. Mr. W. Warren moved that the Government should take immediate action to bring about upon scientific lines the organisation of industries, with the object of ultimately bringing into operation a socialised system of production for, univen-al benefit, and not individual profit. The motion was cairied unanimously. The chairman asked the carpenters present to put up their hands, and about fifty responded. Fortytwo held up their hands as having been out of work for a week, ten from two to three weeks, and eight for one month. . Twenty-eight painters signified that they had been out of work for a week, and six for a month. Twentyfour building trade labourers and 90 geneial labourers stated that they were out of work. Further resolutions were passed urging the Government, City Council, and Harbour Board, and all local bodies, to push on all available work in order to lelieve the distress, and expres&ing regret that representatives in Parliament should have consented to the prorogation of Parliament. Tho question of forming an Independent Labour party was left to the Trades Council." RAISING FUNDS IN NAPIER. NAPIER, 9th July. A good start has been made with raising public subscriptions for the relief of persons in Napier, who are in distress through unemployment. The Mlayor will attend at the Borough Council Chambers to-morrow to relieve persons in need. Mr. M. «T. Reardon, General Secretary of the Wellington General Labourers' Union, who is on a visit to Napier,, attended a meeting of the Napier branch of the union to-night. Mr. Reardon explained to a preps representative that it was contrary to the law for members of the union to work for less than the award wage. He added that he had found that the proposal to ciccept legs than the award rate emanated from nonunionists, and did not meet with the approval of members of the General Labourers' Union.