THE LABOR MOVEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 15907, 13 September 1915, Page 2

THE LABOR MOVEMENT

\ ,». . , - - • * ' [By Vktiban.] ,- ' Brief contributions on matters with reference to the Labor Movement are invited. This week there - has been circulated among-tho trade unions throughout the , '■ Dominion a circular letter which shows that -we have not yet got rid of those few misguided people who some four or five years'ago styled themselves the " National Peace Society," and to the annoyance of the large majority of trado union officials- delayed the unions with all sorts of communications bearing upon tho Defence Act, 1909. These missives -as . a general rule found their tvay into the waste-paper basket, and some of tho unions instructed their secretaries to write to Mr C. R. N. Mackie asking him not to send any more of these missives, as they caused a waste of time and an annoyance to members at the ] union meetings. We. thought that the ' outbreak of. the present-war had shown this small number of faddists how really foolish they had been, and that they had quietly obliterated .themselves from tho public view, but no such luck. It seems there are some people that cannot not learn wisdom "under any circumstances. Their latest effusion'is as" follows : ■ Circular Letter to Trades Unions and . Other _ Societies.—To the Secretary. Dear. Sir, —At.a meeting of citizens held in the Trades Hall (Social Hall), Christchurch, on August 30, the following resolution was carried unanimously :—." Having considered the Defence Act, the Expeditionary Forces Act, and the National Registration Bill in their relations to one another and to the present war, this meeting note • with regret and "consternation -(1) that Parliament have .already placed powers in tho hands: of ministers for compulsorily regimenting the men and youth - of.this country for war; (2} that Parliament have how under consideration, in the National Eegistration Bill, proposals for giving to Ministers ' still further powers over the bodies of men of military age; (3) that the only deduction to be drawn from thess facts is that Parliament and the Ministry contemplate at some, time in the future compulsorily seizing, equipping, and sending these men, or -"gome of them, to Europe or elsewhere for service in the present war. This meeting strenuously protest against these acts, and beg of members not to wantonly sacrifice the freedom and future well-being of this Dominion." It was further resolved that this resolution should be forwarded to the trade unions and other advanced societies throughout the .Dominion in the- hope that such societies might adont the same or a similar course of action.—Ytrars faithfully, C. E. N. -Macxle, hon. sec. Dominion Buildmga, Christchurch, August 31, • 1915. . The above " would not be worthy of notice, and might .be consigned to the , waste-paper basket without comment, but for the fact that it might lead people to think that it emanates from the Trades Hall, Christchurch. I cannot think that arty. body of trade unionists would be responsible for such a circular, especially at tho present time. It is stated that the resolution was carried at a meskng of citizens in the Trades Hall. I venture to assert "that very few cities were present, and that no responsibletrade uwon or Trades Hall officials would countenance or endorse such a resolution, and would ask the Dnnedin unions when receiving, the circular to remember that fact. We are proud to remember that the trade unionists of Dunetfin, along with their brother unionists throughout the Dominion, have proved themselves to be of an entirely differenir stamp of men to tho small coterie who are responsible for tho issue of tho above document. INDUSTRIAL ARBITRATION. The Queensland Labor Government have lost no time in trying to put their State in the same position as. the other States in the Commonwealth and New Zealand as regards industrial arbitration. On August 24 Mr Theodore, State Treasurer, introduced to the House his Industrial Arbitration Bill, a perusal of which shows that Mr Theodore has profited by the mistakes and anomalies in the New Zealand and_ Australian Acts. The Bill has • nine sections, 95 clauses, and a schedule of 20 clauses. It repeals the Industrial Peace Act, 1912, but existing awards and industrial agreements are preserved. The Bill applies to all callings and persons, except special exemptions, which include domestic servants, State children, and aborigines. Clause 6 provides for the establishment of a Court of Industrial Arbitration, and for a Judge or Judges, who will have the status of Supreme Court Judges. The Court may be moved by the direction of the Minister, or upon reference by an industrial union, or employer, or any 20 employees in any calling, or the Minister, or of its own motion, to regulate the conditions of any calling by an award. The powers of the Court in reF dt « industrial matters are unlimited The Court has full-powers to make orders and awards in all cases, fixing the hours wages, and conditions of employment or prescribing conditions in order to secure that preference of employment to members Of industrial unions shall bo effective, or prescribing that all persons employed in the calling be employed through the agency of the Minister or the secretary of an industrial union; or prescribing that notice be given to the Minister and the secretary of an industrial union of anv vacancy among employees in order that the same may be filled by a member of . the< said industrial union; or any other direction as to the method of employment or otherwise m order to secure that full effect be given to any award of preference. The Court also has power to make general rulings relating to any industrial matter, or-make declarations as to the cost of living, standard of living, minimum wages, and standard hours. Provision is made in clause 10 for a working week of not more than 48 hours, providing that working time of employees in underground occupations, or occupations in which the conditions as to temperature, ventilation, lighting, and limitation of approaches are similar to those obtaining in underground occupations, shall include permitted intermissions for rest and meals, shall be reckoned from bank to bank and shall not exceed six hours per day unless a temperature of less than 80deg Fahrenheit thermometer, using a wet bulb, is maintained for at least a seven-eighths proportion of the working shift in the working place where the employee is occupied; also providing for smoke-oh,' meals, and the payment ior overtime, or prohibiting overtime if found necessary. Double rates shall be paid for work on Good Friday, the first Monday in May, and Christmas Day, and time and a-nalf rates for work performed on 2xew Year's Day, Easter Monday, the Soyc-reisjn's Birthday, and Boxinjj Day, ov other proclaimed holiday. Nothing in these provisions', however, shall have any reference to Sunday work. Power is given for appeals to the court from magistrates adjudicating on industrial matters, also j Riving the Judge power to act as media- ' tor. to convene compulsory conferences, i and such Other duties as he thiuks neces- i «ny. Provision is made for tho appoint- j > ment of an industrial registrar and assist- j ante, and for the appointment of indus- j trial magistrates who shall have the juris- ! diction of police magistrates in relation to industrial oases. Clause 38 provides for the. abolition of existing industrial boards; but -other such boards may be constituted. Part 7 gives power to" Go- - vernment employees— except those subject to the Public Service Act—to register ae members of unions and come wiihin the - provisions of tho Bill. Penalties .are prol vided to guard against victimisation. Jla- ; chinery is provided for action for moneys due under awards, also prohibiting strikes or lookouta. Nothing m tho nature of a strike or lockout shall b© declared until after a ballot has bepn taken of those concerned and reported to the registrar. Any lueach this section shall bo liable to u ' penalty as follows • —ln the case of an. employer or industrial union, not exceeding £100; in other cases, not exceeding £10." A clause i» inserted providing for unions to recover all fees.'.levies, and fines J~\ ' against members. Working-in furnituro

factories during prohibited hours is illegal. Solicitors may appear in court if both parties are willing. * * -■;■■» * # # # NOTES. The Painters'- Wages Board for the south-eastern division of Queensland j©cciitly gave an award in the painters and decorators' dispute The minumum wage hasibsen fixed,at 12s Ad per day. Men in charge of -work with four or more men shall bo paid Is per day extra. , ** * . The trade union returns quoted by the British. Board of Trade show that at the end of April there wero 11,000 trado unionists out of work 2,639 of these being in the textile trade. In the building trades 2,279 men were unemployed, engineering 1.251, printing, bookbinding, and paper trade 2,038. * * * * Practically the whole of the coaJ-miners are now linked up in one organisation. The Otago and Southland unions are the latest to join- At a recent" meeting of State miners a resolution was carried—"That the Coal Mine Owners' Association have refused to meet _ the Coal-miners' Federation on the question of an advance in wages owing to the increased cost of living. At such a time of stress to tho Empire we have no wish to be compelled to take similar action to the Welsh miners, hut we would point out that many members of pur federation are-unable to purchase the eimplo necessities of life. We therefore respectfully ask your Cabinet to bring about a meeting of the two associations and thereby prevent any drastic action being taken." Copies of the resolution were posted to the Ministers of Finance, Labor, and Mines, also to Mr Webb, M.P. Mr. Robert Semple, the miners' agent, was present at the meeting.