THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20556, 7 August 1930, Page 17

THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

[By J.S.S.] Brfef contributions on matters with rcfeffncs ti tha Labor Movement are invited. WORKERS’ COMPENSATION REPORT. Opinions on the proposals contained in the workers’ compensation report take two different forms, one side being as determinedly opposed to the committee’s findings as tne other side is favourable. In the expressions of the various arguments for and against much information of value is adduced as to the possible effects of the propose amendments. None of the results o< the conference of union delegates continued in Wellington this week have been made known, but it is no secret that the Alliance of Labour presses for greater benefits than those contained in tho report, and asks chiefly (1) for full wages and full medical expenses; (2) that workers’ compensation be made a State and not left in the hands of private insurance companies; (3) that section 12 of the English Compensation Act should be embodied in our compensation law. Under this Act the worker’s weekly compensation payment cannot be stopped except on the advice of the worker’s own doctor or by the authority of the court. The New Zealand Workers’ Union secretary (Mr A. Cook) considers that the comreport embodies amendments prejudicial to the interests of many of his union's members, particularly shearers, mill hands, and Public Works employees. It is contended that casual workers such as shearers, although their average earnings are low, do earn at certain periods of the year wages that entitle them to receive the maximum compensation of £4 per week should they meet with injury. If the committee’s report were given effect to single men would only receive £3 weekly The principle of child endowment has not, in the opinion of Mr Cook, worked out in practice to the advantage of the workers. His union was not in favour of a differentiation of payment between single and married people. This bad caused trouble in the past when introduced by the Government on public works. The reversal of opinion on child endowment schemes made by Mr Lang, Leader of the Labour Party in New South Wales, is instanced as an illustration of the fact that such measures made possible unsatisfactory basic wages. Whilst those opinions are given consideration by that section of the movement which is favourably disposed to the report of the commission, it is contended that there are features and recommendations incorporated which are so advantageous to the workers that a sweeping condemnation is unjustified. There is disappointment that a complete monopoly of accident insurance is not granted to the State. It is held to bo unfair, however, to draw attention to the lowering of the maximum allowable for compensation to an unmarried _worker from £4 to £3 without taking into consideration the increase of medical allowances from £1 to £25, which would in most cases more than fully compensate for the loss in money payments. Of the recommendations which must be classed as improvements one of the best was the proposal to ; ay to the wife of a worker who suffered injury an allowance of £1 per week, plus 6s per week for each child in the Family, the total payment not to exceed 100 per cent, ol his wages, or £4 I Os. The recommendation ihiplied that in every family comprising two or more children the husband would be in receipt of full wages during his incapacitation. Tho one drawback was that ail workers were not covered to the full extent of their wages. The suggestion that the principle of family payments is in conflict with the policy of the industrial movement is opposed by Mr 'Valter Bromley, secretary of tho Wellington District Council of the Alliance of Labour, who states that the principle was upheld at a recent meeting of his council. The statement of Mr Lang in reference _ to_ child endowment was merely pointing to a particular effect which had no general application. Mr Lang had subsequently fought hard against any move to upset the legislation which his party was responsible for enacting. The airing of different views may serve a good purpose if by that means the rank and file of the organised workers will be_ constrained to give the closest attention to a subject of such farreaching importance. The conference of delegates will have succeeded well, too, if the arguments beard and the evidence tendered have resulted in the formulation of a beneficial and united policy. » » * » BETTER PENSIONS ADVOCATED. Labour ideas for a further advancement in our pension laws are embodied in. a series of questions recently asked in Parliament. The desirability of an improvement in the old age pension rate was particularly stressed. It was mentioned that in New South Wales old age pensioners received 2s 6d weekly more than in New Zealand. Further, that tho amount paid per head under social legislation in New South Wales was very much in advance of that paid in New Zealand, despite the fact that the production; per bead of population was £8 less there. It was argued that New Zealand should at least pay as much as New South Wales. Under the Conservative Government in Great Britain a committee was set up to inquire into the old age pension system of that country, • and after a lengthy investigation it recommended an increase in the pension to £1 5s per week. The enhanced cost of living has depreciated greatly the purchasing power of the old ago pension at present paid here.

_ An amendment to the Widows' Pension Act is favoured which would extend the benefits to deserted wives and their children, also to the wives ot children of men who are suffering from illness and who are unable to work. There was a need for the introduction of legislation providing pensions for the dependents of breadwinners who are suffering from cancer, consumption, and other incurable or prolonged ailments. It was stated that pensions were granted to widows because of the loss of the breadwinner, and if a man were suffering from an incurable ailment his wife was financially worse off than if she were a widow. If any assistance wore given to her, she would, as a rule, use it to provide some comfort for her husband. At present sufferers from the diseases mentioned were placed m the infirmaries and in the Knox Home for Incurables, where the Hospital and Charitable Aid Hoards were keeping them. It was suggested by Mr W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) that it would be far better to give them pensions through the regular channel, and thus call upon the taxpayers to contribute to their maintenance. » * * u FREE LEGAL ADVICE. The plan put into operation by the Otago Labour Council recently giving free legal advice on compensation matters to individual members of affiliated unions is proving a splendid success. Quite a large number of cases have already been satisfactorily settled by the legal firm engaged, and as indivi-

dual unionists become bettor apprised of the benefits accruing from the scheme, greater support is ensured for the council. The local council seeks by this means to benefit the unionists of Dunedin, as well as furthering its own roposals to bring about a quick amalgamation of union forces. The affiliated members who meet with accidents are freed by the council’s scheme from the stress and worry of making possibly unsatisfactory settlements with the insurance companies.