THE LABOR MOVEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 16197, 19 August 1916, Page 10

THE LABOR MOVEMENT

[By Vetehak.]

Brief contributions on matters with reference to the Labor Movement are invited.

SEAMEN'S UNION. Some interesting figures regarding improvements in wages paid to seamen are given in the annual report of the Federated Seamen's Union of New Zealand. "Based on an average of 2,800 men," states the report, "the aggregate amount of increase secured in wages of members from Ist March, 1897, to 50th June, 1916—19 years and 4 months—make the sum of £799,299. On tho .same number of men the aggregate amount of increases in overtime for the same 19 years and 4 months'total £1,021,411; a'total aggregate of increases in wages and overtime of £1,800,710 in 19 years and 4 months. In the same period 2,800, paying 2s per month to the union, would pay a grand total of £64,866, and, deducting that from the aggregate increases in wages and overtime the 2,800 men are £1,735,844 ,to the good; iu other words, the earning power of each of the 2,800 men has been increased £364 15s lOd. He would pay to the union £22 4s, at 2s per month, and has got for that £22 4s a clear amount of £342 lis lOd. Those figures have, been arrived at after long and very careful study, and without taking into account the reduced hours of labor of deck hands, increased holidays, preference, medical benefits, compensation, reduced penalties under the Shipping Act, improved regulation of the hours of labor, and many oilier things, such as improved accommodation and food—all of which have been obtained directly off the bat of the Seamen's Union." The opinion is expressed that there is no other body of laboring men in the Dominion that can show such a record. •

A conference of the seamen's unions of the Dominion is being held in Auckland, and it is expected to last a considerable tune, as a good deal of attention will be paid to the framing of working conditions to be embodied in a new industrial agreement. For some time past the existence of different agreements and awards in the Dominion and the Commonwealth has been a source of much trouble. This year it is hoped to bring about a measure of uniformity, and it is probable that an invitation to send a delegation to tho Australian conference. with this object in view will be accepted. ******* NOTES. At a conference of teachers in New South Wales it was decided to ask for a minimum commencing salary of £156 for unclassified teachers. Tho conference, by 81 votes to 8, decided not to apply for registration to obtain the adjudication of an Industrial Court. * * * Discussing; the Commonwealth- steamer •purchase, Mr Scaddan, Labor ex-Premier of Western Australia (which State .is also a steamship owner), said he thought the time was not far distant when the Imperial and Australian Governments, with New Zealand and South African co-operation, would own and operate a stoamer line for mails and cargo. ;( * * * A committee recently conducted an investigation in Great Britain concerning Sunday labor in munition works. Its report favored the discontinuance of such work on health, economic, .and social grounds, except in cases of emergency. Many employers testified that seven clays' labor produced only six days' output. * * * The railroads are enjoying the most prosperous era in their history or they are on the verge of bankruptcy, according . to whether they are making up their balancesheets or answering their employees' demands for higher wages.—' Los Angeles Express.' * * * New South Wales Premier Holman has been selected without opposition as the Labor candidate for Cootamundra at the nest State elections. It was suggested recently that Holman would be opposed by an Industrialist.