THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20686, 8 January 1931, Page 3

THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

( By J.S.S.I

contributions on matters with i efcrenco U> ihij Lai»or Mowniciil arc invited. INTERNATIONAL AND I NEMRLOYMENT CRISIS. The International Federation of Trade Unions is the most powerful nnd largest organisation of its kind in the world. A'flihated to it are trade unions, both sectional and national, situated in every country. The numerical strength of the International, which has its headquarters in Amsterdam, runs into many millions. Its policy is constitutional in character and differs widely in method from the revolutionary doctrines enunciated by its rival, the Third or Communist International. Both bodies have their mainsprings in the workers’ organisations of Europe, and are important factors in the control ol the political and industrial branches ol the Labour movement. By news bulletins and active correspondence the first-named body, commonly called the Second International, endeavours to keep up an active connection with its widclyscattered affiliations, men with such far away countries as our own. Recently to hand from it, and just received In’ the Otago Labour Office, is a lengthy report of the proceedings of a joint commission of the Second International and the Labour and Soma list .International, held to discuss the unemployment problem. The commission made (he declaration I hat the present economic system of -society was to a, largo degree responsible for the present crisis, and capitalists were powerless to provide clfeetivo remedies. It was deeided to direct the attention of the organised employees in industry to the following fundamental points The economic crisis, which is raging with tremendous severity in nearly every country, has condemned to unemployment more than twelve million workers in Europe and the United States of America, and further millions in other parts of the world; it is threatening the whole of the working people to a degree never known before. The evils of the present economic system, which produces now crises at intervals, the instability of peace, the attacks of Fascism, and other political disturbances are the principal causes of the present state of distress among the working masses. Rulers are not only doing little to temper the consequences °! the crisis for the workers, hut are helping to aggravate the distress still further by a futile policy of protective tariffs, by economic nationalism, and by numerous other measures.

Employers, falling to appreciate their responsibility, tire attempting; to represent high tfaj>es us the eanse of tin* crisis. Tin-, contention is dourly contradicted by the facts; during the lust fen- years the wage element in the costs of production has fallen, whereas the number'of unemployed has at tlie same time been nearly doubled. The employers are cynically proposing a reduction of wages and unemployment insurance, without caring about the fright fill misery for the workers which would arise in this way. Organised workers must, resist attacks on the standard of living, ami at the same time they must insist upon adequate maintenance of the unemployed and the reduction of unemployment.

The I.F.T.F. asks the workers in all c 'imtries to advocate the following demands as a means of overcoming (lie pressure of the, crisis and lessening the sufferings of 'its victims:— (I) To resist all attacks upon the standard of life of the workers by wage reductions, as any lessening of the purchasing power of the masses must result in an increase of unemployment. To increase the purchasing power of Ibe masses ami thereby reduce unemployment by opposing the measures adopted by capitalist economic organisations, which prevent the adaptation of tho prices of finished goods to the fall in prices of raw materials. To oppose the artificial maintenance at a high level of retail prices as compared with tho fall in wholesale prices. (d) To introduce, preserve, or extend a far-reaching system of maintenance for the unemployed, (f) A more equitable distribution of employment during the crisis by reducing working hours. To strive internationally for a permanent ! reduction of working hours in order to oven out tho increased strain ipon the workers in rationalised industries. to) In order to remove the political causes of tho aggravation of the crisis it is necessary to mobilise' all forces for guaranteeing peace among tho peoples, by international disarmament, by a general cancellation of war debts, by opposing Fascism ami dictatorship, in whatever form it may appear, ami by guaranteeing democracy, the basis of every social and peaceful policy. » # » tf SELECTION OF CANDIDATES. Locally no announcement has been made as to the names of likely Labour candidates for tho next (general Election, but. it is expected that the different trade unions, which are the largest factor in making tho selections, will have the matter under consideration at an early date. The lolluwing are the names of those candidates already decided upon by the Labour Party brandies in oilier district; ; fin I ler.—Fl. K. Holland, M.P. Otnki.—J. Thorn. Ilutt.—W. Nash. M.P. Wellington Central.—-P. Fraser, M.P. Wellington East. —H. Semple, M.P. Wdiin'gt on South.—■U.M Keen, M.P. Wellington Norlh.— C. 11. Chapman, M.P. Wdlinglon Suburbs.- T. Urindle. Haiiraki. C. K. Petrie. Auckland Suburbs.---11. C. H. Mason, M.P. Auckland \Vest.--M. ■). Savage, M.P. Auckland Central. —W. .E. Parry. M.P. Manukaii.— W. J. Jordan, M.P, Eden.--W. T. Anderton. Parnell.—J. W. Varuall. Waiteinata. —A . C. Osborne. * * # * If A SIC WAGE INQL'UiV. At the Australian Federal basic wage inquiry recently, Colin Alison, economist and engineer, in evidence, • said there was a fall in prices in France. Irom July to December, I'J’Jti. 'the Frendi. instead of reducing wages, actually increased them 10 ,vor cent., and in six months, industry began to revile. productivity evenlunify increasing HI per cent. Mr Alison said that as a manufacturer be did not want Vo see a fall in wages sis a reduction in wages always caused acute distress, G. F. I’ortns. lecturer in economics at Sydney Fuiver-ity. said a icdnelioi in wages would not help the primary industries. fil'd Judge Dellnadge inlerpused, (,)uite —i,. The court, recognises that no reduction "ill benefit, the grazing ur agricultural industries. Still, I don'! think it should be suggested to

iliciii tliiil they should ho preserved against it. It is not suggested that a reduction in the pastoral industry wages would have any material client, hut it is suggested that the lowering of the costs of industry generally would follow a reduction in wages, and help ilieiii 1 i weather the storm.’’ Air I’ortns pointed out that strikes wer- more ireqiient in prosperous times. If wages were forced down in times of depression there would he strikes when business improved. Mi' did not think Australia had a veri high standard of living compared with other pails of flie world. It was I,he standard of living that Australian ,i.ei>|)l“ thought (it for a man who earned Mage-, for his living.