THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20876, 20 August 1931, Page 15

THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

[By J.S.S.]

Brief contributions on matter* with reference to the Labour Movement are invited. SHORTER WORKING WEEK. “ Tho policy the trade union movement should pursue to-day is to insist on a reduction of working hours. A shorter working week offers the only practical solution of many of tho world’s present industrial This is tho opinion voiced by Mr W. G. Baird, president of the Otago Labour Council, and secretary of tho Otago Carpenters’ Union. He stated to the writer that past experience had proved that reductions in working hours had been accompanied by increased production on the part of tho workers. 11 My own experience of the agitation which was conducted to bring about the eighthour day,” ho said, “ has shown me that all movements to improve the economic lot of the workers have met with determined opposition from affected interests. However, ns the accomplishment of tho eight-hour clay proved, shorter hours have been just as beneficial to the employing interests as they have been to tho workers. I can well remember that when a shorter working week was instituted in tho building trade, it was found that just as much work was done in eight hours as was previously done in ten or twelve hours. In any case, science and invention have provided. such a vast amount of labour-saving machinery that long hours of work are no longer necessary. Responsible leaders of trade unions; have for years pointed out that if shorter hours are not adopted in industry, the sole result of the continued "introduction of labour-saving machinery will bo to throw millions more men on tho industrial scrap-heap. For a time, when hours are shortened, lower wages will bo earned, as wo could hardly hope at first to obtain tho same wages for a six-hour day ns for an eight-hour one, but those things would adjust themselves. If tho money earned from a six-hour day is insufficient to give the worker a reasonable standard of living, agitation will soon secure any increase warranted by the economic conditions. As matters are now, with an eight-hour day, half the' membership of many unions is out of work, and there is a large percentage getting only a few days a week. Even when industry is free from tho present depression, I can sec no great amelioiation of tho workers’ lot unless shorter working hours arc accomplished. * » * * UNEMPLOYMENT RECORDS COMPARED. Tho unemployment figures for New Zealand are so high as to merit comparison with other countries. _ In the larger countries, such as America, Germany, and Great Britain, tho record of unemployment is proportionately higher than in Now Zealand but in smaller countries, whose populations arc more in lino with ours, comparisons are not to our advantage. The following table, which was quoted in Par lament by Mr H. E. Holland, shows the present position in European countries and in Palestine, tho figures being taken from publications of the International Labour Office: — T Popu- Undulation. ployed. Belgium 7.9112,000 77,181 Fruco ... 41,000,000 70,822 Netherlands ... 7,620,000 99,753 Switeorland .. 4 000,000 26,886 Denmark . 3,485,000 80,500 I nTania 17 694 000 36,212 S 3,528 000 ] 1.706 Yugoslavia ... 13 200,000 1-M2Q Norway . 2.788 000 29,107 Palestine ". ... UOOO.OOO 13,600 * * * * LOCAL DISPUTES COMMITTEES. Watersiders’ officials believe that the provision of a Local Disputes Committoo iu the award is working out to tlio advantage of tho workers. the Disputes Committee gives members the right to bargain for improved conditions on every job, and as a result they have usually obtained better wages. Tho committee also docs much good when disputes arise over particular jobs. During last year twelve meetings of tho Local Disputes Committee woro held, 314 disputes being heard. Although in the great majority of cases satisfactory decisions have boon reached in tho past, it is stated that it is becoming increasingly difficult tor the men to win owing to the fact that tlio trade depression caused employers to adopt a more uncompromising attitude. Tho National Disputes Committee, which also functions very usefully, is believed to have handled about 300 cases last year. Of these, four were referred to the Arbitration Court — three being won —while another was settled in favour of tho men by tho Conciliation Council commissioner, acting as, an independent arbitrator. LABOUR BANK’S GOOD YEAR. One of tho most successful of work-ing-class enterprises, the German Labour Bank, is able to report good business during tho past year, despite tho exceptionally severe economic crisis. In a period during which most banks have suffered severe losses and have experienced a reduction in tlio amount of money deposited, deposits m the Labour Bank rose from £103,060,000 to £168,000,000. The turnover rose from £2,700,000,000 in 1929 to £3,300,000,000 in 1930. Net profits, after deduction of a considerable sum ior reserves, rose from £2,110,000 to £2,140,000, tho dividend paid being 8 per cent. The number of branches increased by thirty-six, being now —3 in 171 German towns. In tho middle of March the fortyhour week was introduced for all employees in tho service of the bank. “ Lindcar,” tho cycle business owned by the German Labour Bank and trade unions, is- also doing well. \ anous other cycle businesses have had to close down, but tbo Lindcar works have extended their activities by taking up tho manufacture ol sowing machines. Tho propaganda work ol tho enterprise lias been very successful, thanks clnclly to tho intensive aid given by trade union officials. * * * * INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT WORKERS. Whether it should affiliate with tho International Transport Workers’ Federation is a question which is expected to bo considered by the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Federation shortly. Mr Edo Einunen, secretary ol tlie International Federation, has written to tho New Zealand body again inviting affiliation. Tlio federation is stated to have a .membership of over two and a-iiall millions spread over ninety-three organisations in thirty-five countries. Those organisations comprise dockers and waterside workers, railwayman, seamen, tramwaymen, drivers, cooks, and stewards, and other sections of transport workers. In almost every country, tho international secretary states, attempts are being made by tlio owners of tlio transport industry to mlnco wages and worsen the conditions of employment, and tho transport workers were therefore compelled to organise to defend

their standard of living. A combination of the transport workers throughout tlio world would assist greatly in raising tho standard of life, ho says. The fact that vast shipping trusts, which know no national harriers, exist is doomed a good reason for all tho different organisations banding together.