WORK AND WAGES.

Evening Star, Issue 12101, 6 November 1908, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

TRADES AND LABOR COUNCIL. The’ Otago Trades and Labor” "Gbuncil met last evening,'Mr J. Hay mes'presiding. Communications were received from the’ Otago Typographical Society andf ho Dunedin Tinsmiths' - Union stating' that these ' ■unions had decided to adopt the constilution of : the Federation of Labor.' A reply was received from' the townclerk, StV Kilda, stating that there was no-' borough' by-law in existence which stipu-’ lated-that all taps' connected with-then water service must be of certain specified ’ brands,- or that the colonial article’ was strictly prohibited; - ■ 't : ... Returns' from'the i various unions were -' laid on the table in reference to th.e-refnit from the recent Trades Conference urging. -, the workers to vote No-license, with a ■ view to placing the “ trade ” under the control of the State. Replies were received from nineteen unions, the Teihalp,ing twelve affiliated unions failing to make any response to the question. Of the nineteen unions that replied, five, with a total membership of 649, decided in favor of the remit, and five, with a membership of 433, decided against it, while nine unions, with a membership of 628, simply expressed the opinion that the ballot box was tho proper place to settle the question. There being thirty-one unions affiliated to the Council, the voting was such that the remit could not be adopted. The Executive were instructed to take whatever action was considered advisable in the interests of Labor during the election campaign, and, if thought necessary, to issue a manifesto dealing with the Hon. J. A. Millar’s attitude towards the Labor party. The following resolutions were adopted : That a requisition be issued asking that a poll be taken at tho next municipal elections to determine the statutory closing day within the combined district of Dunedin. That tho Executive be instructed to draw up a reply to the slanderous statements contained in the report of the president of the Employers’ Association. That the thanks of the Council bn tendered to the Hon. J. T. Paul for the services tendered by him to Labor since his appointment to the Legislative Coun cil, and this Council congratulate him on having been instrumental in having a clause inserted in the Factories Act. . 1907, providing for the payment o! wages in full to all factory employees : also for the insertion of a clause in tin Arbitration Bill throwing the onus of proof on employers in the case of al leged victimisation. That this Council enter their protest against tho "rest in legislation” out lined by the Prime Minister in his speech at Palmerston North on October 19. and are of opinion that some of oui Labor laws are in urgent need of radical amendment, notably the .Shops and Offices Act, which is rendered largelv useless by unreasonable, exemptions, with the result that many warehousemen, clerks, and others are being sweated and underpaid. This Council also consider that legislation is urgently required to further stimulate and foster our local industries by the adoption of a “Made in New Zealand ” brand, and the compelling of manufacturers to label shoddy goods; also that immediate provision should be made for the embodiment, of the right-to-work principle in statute law; and that, above all, Parliament shoijld take effective means to reduce the cost of living to those who are en deavonng to rear large families on an inadequate wage; and, further, for the above and many other reasons, the Council object to a “ rest in legislation,” believing that the country is entitled to expect progressive legislation and clli- I cient administration 'from the Government in power.