LABOUR NOTES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 106, 31 October 1914, Page 11

LABOUR NOTES

(By "Optimist.") LABOUR DAY. The Trades and Labour Council has earned congratulation on the success a)» tending its efforts on Monday last Tho street procession was excellent, and the large number at the sports seemed to find plenty of enjoyment. There was a lack of amusements for the adult, but this was more than made up for by the merriment of the young folk. The arrangements were well carried out, and groat credit is due to Mr. h. M. A. Rearden and his assistants. There were no paid officials; oven the men at the gates gave their services free. The sports were a financial success, although the prize money, advertising, etc., were heavy. LABOUR AND THE ELECTIONS. The ballot for the selection of a candidate for Wellington East promises to bo very keen ; the running between Mr. John Rigg and Mr. M'Laron will bo very close. Some dissatisfaction is being expressed that the Seamen's Union vote is not being allocated strictly to the men belonging to the port of Wellington, members of other branches having votes. Mr. M'Laren is expected to win the ballot. It is felt that as Wellington East is his old campaigning ground, he will have the better chance, and Labour cannot afford to take any chances. WELLINGTON NORTH AND LABOUR. No official candidate is being run by tho Labour Representation Committee for Wellington North. Mr. Fullbrook is unknown in the Trades and Council, or any other Labour circles. With regard to Mr. H. E. Holland, ho does not stand with tho approval of the Representation Committee as tho party which nominated him, the Social Democratic Party, withdrew from the committee. Mr. Holland may not count on the Labour vote for Wellington North. It is as Well to let this bo known as early in tho campaign as possible. WATERSIDE WORKERS. A quiet, but strong movement is being madq to get Mr. Bruton to stand for the position of secretary of the Waterside Workers' Union Ii nominated ho v/ill probably have as his opponents Messrs. Bruoe and Lad. Mr. Bruton knows tho waterfront from A to Z, and commands tho rospect of workers and employers both, and it is to be hoped that in tho intorosts of tho union ho will accept nomination. WASTAGE OF LABOUR. The moro one goes down to the waterfront the moro one sees the awful wastage going on. It secmd nobody's busihess to try and stem it. If a steamer comes in with a couple of hundred tons of cargo ib seems to be the sfcevedoro's chief business to get it out regardless of the number of men 116 employs. For a- job that could bo done comfortably in an eight-hour day — allowing ample timo for the steamer to leavo on sailing time-Hdie job is cut down to three hours, thus splitting up tho wages amongst the maximum in lieu of the minimum. Tins' keeps dozens of men hanging round the waterfront earning shillings whoro tho minimum could earn a decent wage. The workers Complain that it is a cruel and unjust method, and should immediately be stopped. A PREFERENCE CASE. The Auckland Branch of the Australasian Federated Seamen's Union has issued a writ for £S0 against the local (Auckland) Seamen's Union for refusing, under tho preference clause of the agreement, to enrol as a member a seaman who applied for such admission, in consequenoe of which refusal he was prevented from obtairiing employment with a Ideal shipping company. Tho caso will come on for hearing in Noveniber. TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION'S SOUVENIR. The "Patriotio' Souvenir" issued by the Wellington Typographical Union ou Labour Day_ was worthy of the profession and tho_ printers. Tho foreword in tho publication only strengthens tho high opinion in which thiß union is held Jn Labour circles. "In offering to the public this 'Patriotic Souvenir' we deem it necessary to explain that the souvenir is intended to commemorate the celebration of Labour Day in the year 1914, and io pjxpress in concrete form our co-operation in the great manifestation of patriotism that is How stirring our Empire to ite solid foundations." AUSTRALIAN JOTTINGS. The West Australian State timber mill at Manjinup ha 6 begun a double shift of six hours, employing sixty men who were thrown out of work by private mills. Two other State mills aro to adopt the 6ame system. ' , The Tasmanian Labour Minister of Eduoation has decided to give equal pay for equal work, and women teachers' salaries are to be inoreased accordingly. This will not take full effect this year, as Ministers have decided to give only half increments. Tho Victorian Labour Party has already begun organising on_ a thorough basis with tho object of being the gbv--erning party after next State elections. By-elections recently held point that the task should not be a difficult one. Mr. George Cann was ojected member for Canterbury, N.S.W., in the Labour interest, defeating his opponent by over , 1600 votes. WEST AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS. The final result of tho West Australian I elections is being eagerly awaited. The latest cabled figures do not seem to give Mr. Scadden much, if anything, to come and go on. It is felt in West Australia that if Labour does not win this election I it will take the party years to recover.