THE LABOR MOVEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 19025, 21 August 1925, Page 3

THE LABOR MOVEMENT

[By Veteran.]

Brief contributions on matters Witl reference, to tkt Labor Movement art invited. ALLIANCE OF LABOR. I have previously given my opinion about the attempts ol tho Alliance or Labor to get possession of the whole Labor movement in New Zealand, and the generous (?) offer to tho trades councils that they may be allowed to become branches of the Alliance by dropping their. original titles and submitting themselves to the domination of tho Alliance Executive in Wellington. Organisers and lecturers have been very busy trying to bring tins about, but so far they have not met with much success. Wellington Trades Council turned the proposition down by a largo majority. Christchurch is still in doubt. The Otago Council, at a very small meeting, decided by 9 to 8 to favorably recommend the proposition to tho unions, but that does not finally dispose of tho question, as the unions and tho Trades Council Conference will have the final say in the matter. Hie Auckland Trades' Council has not yet dealt with the question. It is very likely that' the Otago Council may again consider the question, when a different decision may bo come to in a more representative meeting. In the meantime tho following extract from the report of the Otago Typographical Association to bo presented to the annual meeting on August 22 (the Typographical Union is one of the oldest, most progressive, and best managed unions in tho dominion), may bo interesting to other organisations;—

“ Now, to get back to the outcome of affiliation as it will aflect those unions which are registered under tho Arbitration Act, It appears to your board that any such union is placed in an anomalous position in being attached to an organisation which can call a strike whenever it considers itself justified in so doing. The union outside the provisions of the Act is all right, because it is quite free to take any action it may think fit. But not so the union within the Act. It is bound by certain provisions, both individually nud collectively, which it must observe |or suffer the penalty. One of these provisions is that it cannot go out on strike or assist the strikers in any way. What is the position, then, if the Alliance of Labor calls a strike in any industry (not registered under the Arbitration Act) which is attached to it? Every adiliated union should in loyalty fall into line with this mandate and do what it can to win the strike, other- | wise it is of no use to the Alliance, and may as well not be affiliated to it. On the other hand, if it in any way assists it is liable, both individually and collectively, to incur the penalties provided under the Arbitration Act. It appears to your board that this is not a fair position to place any Arbitration Act union in. Unions have an open choico to cancel their registration and become free agents; but until this is done your board considers that it is wrong to bo attached to an industrial body Which can dictate a policy altogether contrary to the purpose for which the Arbitration Act was passed. No union can logically work under the provisions of the Act and at the same time countenance and support methods of obtaining their objective which are diametrically opposed to the plain pur- : port of the Act. “ It is quite beside the question to say that tho extensive industrial powers possessed by tho Alliance ol Labor have ‘ never been used nor will they ever be. : The fact remains that the latent power is there, and can be put into operation at any moment the majority of the controlling anthorily may consider oppor- ! tune. No amount of dust can blind I tho observant eye to this dangerous 1 position. Tho Alliance makes no secret of tho fact that it is opposed to tho Arbitration Act, and at the Easter Conference it was decided to ask unions ; to cancel registration under tho Act where possible. i “Tho position, than, is that if tho wish of the Otago Labor Council is car- , nod out our union auiomarirglly becomes affiliated to tho Alliance h bailor. Whether mir members will remain satisfied with this con!radietory position is for them to say. \\ c have endeavored to point out_ the efloct of tin’s decision on any union registered under the Arbitration Act.. There are oilier phases of the affiliation which wo could have discussed, but we retrain. 'This can be done at tho mooting if necessary. Wo arc placing iho matter | on tho order paper so that an opportn--1 niiy will he given for expressions of opinion and a decision come to ns to whether our union should remain affiliated to tho Otago Trades Council if it is decided to become attached to tho Alliance of Labor. “ We started out by saying that we all wished to know of any method whereby a higher rate of pay could be obtained. We have examined the proposal as advocated by the Alliance ol [Labor, and it is for the members to Isay whether, under tho circumstances jin"which we are at present placed, we should bo a party to adopting the rncthod advocated. The Alliance lays I great stress on its power to got _ increased wages and better conditions through its methods than can ho hoped for through the Arbitration Act. “Tho importance of this matter to all workers is our excuse for dealing with the question so fully.”

WHY AMERICA IS MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN EUROPE. An American industrial corporation owning manufacturing plants in the United States_ ami in live European countries lias issued a statement- concerning the wages paid by it to its workers in fclie.se countries during Pd-4. The figures are as follow: ' “ Dollars. Wage per day to American worker u. 60 Wage per day to British worker 2.2 b Wage per day to German worker 1.53 Wage per day to French worker Edo Wage per day to Belgian worker ELI Wage per day to Italian worker UJb Tho writer of the article giving these figures declares that the chief factor of these differences is tho much greater productivity of the American worker; and the reason why tho American worker can produce so much more is that the employer puts into the_ plant a much larger proportion of capital in comparison with wha-t he pays out for labor than is tho case in Europe. 'I Ids capital goes to improve plant and perfect the technical equipment, so that tho output per man is much greater. Thus, for instance, tho capital invested in British industry is only _ one-third of the sum invested in America lor an equal number of workers. Another factor affecting the ease is the greater cheapness of coal in America. It should, of course, be noted that in making these comparisons the purchasing power of money in the_ various countries must also be taken into account. * * # * FARM LABORERS’ UNION. The Farm Laborers’ Union was again refused an award by tho Arbitration Court at its last sitting in Dunedin. One reason for the refusal seems to have been the lack of interest-By the persons most concerned. The secretary of the union told the court that thc> had had as many as nine members at a meeting. That did not speak well for the interest taken in the union when one considers tho hundreds of farm and orchard workers in Otago If the farm laborers are in earnest about the matter there should ho no difficulty in makimr their organisatioi one of the strongest organisations in Now' Zealand. In the meantime the Alliance of Labor has issued a circular letter over the signatures “ A. Cook (president) and J. Roberts (secre-

tary),” appealing for funds to assist in the organisation of these workers. The circular says inter alia: “ The organisation of these workers will be undertaken in tho near future jointly by tho New Zealand Alliance of Labor and the New Zealand Workers’ Union, and as this work will of necessity bo costly, wo are appealing to the organised workers of New Zealand for financial assistance in order to ensure that this important work can be successfully carried out. The New Zealand Alliance of Labor appeals to all trade unions in New Zealand to render financial support for this essential organising work. Wo forward this appeal, knowing that our comrades realise that this necessary organising work is not solely tho business of any one Labor organisation. This is a big job, and requires the financial support of the Labor movement as a whole. Tho organisation of the farm laborers and rural workers will not onlv benefit these workers and their families: it will also be a protection to tho organised workers in the cities and towns.” It is a novelty to see such- an appeal made, especially when no one connected with (he industry attaches his name to the appeal or shows anv desire for orcran’satinn. The circular also says: “The organisation of these workers will ensure success for industrial and political Labor.”