UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 November 1930, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD

ALLIANCE v. UNIONS LABOUR DISSENSIONS [pee pbess association.] WELLINGTON, November 12. “A grave injustice will be done to the workers affiliated to Wellington Trades Council, and we think, to the 'large majority of the workers of the Dominion, if they are in any way associated with the threat of a refusal to pay the levy into the Unemployment Fund, or refuse to eo-operate with the Unemployment Board, as suggested by the Alliance Uf Labour deputation,” says the executive of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council in a statement issued to-day. “The Unemployment Act as passed recently, is not ideal from the point of view of the Labour Movement. The movement took every legitimate step to secure the required amendments. We did not succeed, and were naturally disappointed. The position will not, however, be improved by refusing co-operation with the Board. In regard to the method of appointment of the representatives to the Board, the Minister of Labour would be well advised to take a ballot of the Unions on the nominations received, in the manner adopted when appointing the representatives to the court of Arbitration. The members of the Executive of the Alliance of Labour may determine on methods of showing their disapproval of the procedure in appointing the workers representatives to the Unemployment Board, but they must accept the full responsibility for their own actions have been determined by the affiliations to the organisation. Neither should they suggest that the organisations are acting against their advice. This is neither correct nor fair to the organisations inside or outside, of the Alliance of Labour, and probably more will be heard of this at a later date.

“May we cite some of the incidents which have, led up to the present position? On Thursday, October 23, last, the Wellington Council held its usual meeting. At this meeting a number of Executive members of the Alliance of Labour were present. Forty delegates were in attendance, representing the majority of the Unions affiliated to the Trades Council. This meeting carried a resolution recommending all of the affiliated unions to nominate Air W. Bromley and Mr F. D. Cornwell as the Workers’ Representatives on the Unemployment Board. Following this meeting, and prior to the next fortnightly, meeting of the Council, the executive of the Alliance of Labour issued a circular to ~ho Unions throughout the Dominion urging them to protest against the method of appointment, and to forward a letter to the Minister of Labour to this effect, and, at the same time, to intimate that they would not co-operate with the Government in its administrations of the unemployment scheme until the workers were conceded that, fundamental right of selecting their own representatives on theBoard. At a meeting of the Wellington Council held on November 5, the Executive members of the Alliance again being present, a motion to en dorse the action taken by the Alliance of Labour Executive was defeated by a large majority.” Tho statement proceeds: “The members of the Council questioned the sincerity of the members of the Alliance of Labour Executive in view of their repeated public declarations that they would oppose the unemployment measure, which they described as a wage-reducing union-splitting measure, and would call upon the workers to prevent it from operating.” -The statement proceeds to doubt tho sincerity of the Alliance on the ground that an invitation of the then Prime Minister, the Alliance appointed a member to the Unemployment Committee without consulting a single union. It also recalled that tho Alliance favoured Air Roberts’s appointment as delegate to the International Labour Conference, but that the Minister decided upon a vote. The Council reminds the deputation that the members of the Unions which have sent nominations far exceeds the membership of the Alliance of Labour.

AUCKLAND OPINIONS. SUPPORT FOR THE ACT. [.SPECIAL TO “STAR.”] AUCKLAND, November 12. What is to bo the position of the registered unemployed young man, who is unable to pay the first instalment of the unemployment levy on December 1 next? This question is exercising the minds of many of Auckland’s unemployed at present. The officials at the Wellesley Street Post Office, where the majority of the registrations have been made cannot answer the question. The Post Office is merely the registering agent, and is in no way concerned with the administration of the Unemployment Act. All that the Post Office officials know Is that the levy is payable on December 1 next, and coupon receipt books, which have just, come to hand, are now being issued to each person registering. Much concern has been expressed from time to time by appli cants for registration as they point out that employers are liable to fine for having in their employment men who have not paid their levy, and they fear that failure to pay will preclude them from obtaining any jobs that may be vacant. This and many Other points will only be cleared up when the Unemployment Board which is not yet appointed frames regulations under the Act.

Inquiries in labour and industrial circles show that generally speaking the Act is regarded as a step in the right direction, although certain unions especially those affiliated with the Alliance of Labour, are strong in their protest against the method of selecting the workers’ representative on the Board. The general opinion, at the Trades Hall, is that the Unemployment Act, although not perfect by any means is a step in the right direction. A prominent union secretary said this morning, that the protests that had been published concerning the tax and the movement to evade payment came from the Alliance of Labour , “which,” he said,

“does not speak on behalf of the trade union movement.” LESS THAN 10 PER CENT. ( of the unions, representing about 15 per cent, of unionists, are affiliated to the Alliance. No action has been taken officially by (Trade Hall to prevent the functioning of the Unemployment Act, nor have we advised any person not to pay his just contribution. As a matter of fact, if the papers could be examined I think you would find that of those not registered, the majority are not trade unionists. As trade unionists, we think that the Act is a genuine attempt to relieve the present situation. The onlj- bone of contention in the Trades Hall is the levy being made a "flat tax” instead of being computed according to a man’s ability to pay. Unionists will pay up and be done with it.” “Men are starving,” said another union secretary, “aiid the sooner the Unemployment Board begins to function the better it will be for the men out of work. There is a lot of talk about the method of selecting the Board, but if we have to wait for an election, much valuable time will be wasted and urgent action is necessary, and any delay at the moment would be fatal. We cannot allow men and women to go hungry just because certain people are dissatisfied with how the Unemployment Board is to be appointed.” The Auckland branch of the Seamen’s Union, the Tramway Union, the Dairy and Butter Factories Union, the Bakers’ Union, and Tailoresses Union have passed resolutions and sent them to the Minister of Labour protesting against the method of appointing the workers’ representatives on the Unemployment Board. Speaking of the Act generally, Mr J. Liddell, secretary of the Tramways Union said he had heard of no movement for repudiation of the levy, but was of opinion that a great deal of improvement could have been made by Parliament in the Act itself. “We are entirely against the flat tax,” he said, “and we are also against the exclusion of women from any benefits. My own opinion is that women should receive first consideration. An unemployed young woman is subject to much more temptation than a young man similarly placed. If the women are not guarded, the morals of the < country will be affected.” ! TO REDUCE COSTS. ' MERCHANTS & FARMERS.' PLAN. ‘ [PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] ,

NEW PLYMOUTH, November 12.

The suggestion that the Associated Chambers of Commerce should combine with the Farmers’ Union to reduce costs during the period of falling nrices was made last night by the Stratford Chambers, whose President, Air J. B. Richards, outlined a scheme of co-operation. Mi’ Richards had written to Air C. P. Agar, the President of the Associated Chambers, urging that organisation to adopt the following principles: — (1) The curtailment of protection of sections of the community to the disadvantage of other sections. (2) The reduction of the expenses of government. (3) The curtailment of Government activity in business.

(4) The encouragement of individual effort.

(5) The curtailment of interference with private rights. The Farmers’ Union, said Air Richards, was groping after something. It was not yet prepared to say w'hat. He believed it would be possible for the Associated Chambers of Commerce to establish a working understanding on matters of high principle with the Farmers’ Union Executive. The coalition w’ould produce a force wielding sufficient power to ensure the observance in the general government action of those principals to which both bodies subscribed.

“I quite agree on one fundamental principle,” said Mr W. J. Polson, M.P., the Dominion President of the Farmers’ Union. "These farmers ask for an equal opportunity with the others of the State, and the Union is striving in that direction. Unless a saving in costs can be brought about, production must be curtailed, because third class country is not economical to farm, and, already, it is doubtful whether second class land can be farmed profitably.” He was sure that something could be done through the Government to reduce costs. If the Farmers’ Union and the commercial organisations co-operated in a sincere attempt to bring about improved conditions, something could be accomplished, for no Government would dare to disregard proposals backed by such a united weight of public opinion. As a representative of the farming interests, he was sure that the farmers would welcome the move suggested by Mr Richards.

OTAGO PROPOSALS.

DUNEDIN, Novom’-':- 12

Numerous questions o. economics and Government control made a formidable agenda paper for a conference held last night by representatives of city and rural interests. The main points of agreement were that the Government service was overstaffed, that the number of civil servants and their privileges should be curtailed, that many development works could be effected more economically by private enterprise and that the Arbitration Act should be overhauled to provide ■compulsory conciliation, and optional arbitration.

The view was expressed that a substantial reduction in city workers’ wages was due and that the Court should be given power to reduce wages under all awards simultaneously. A motion was passed protesting against the increase in the railway freights and fares instead of economies being effected by alterations to the regulations.

U.S.A. CONDITIONS.

BYRD’S ANTARCTIC MEN.

[BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.]

NEW YORK, November 11.

Another interesting result of the present “hard times” was revealed when Rear Admiral Byrd announced: “Almost every day I receive calls for help from some of the men who -were with me in the Antarctic, and I cannot turn them down. The hard times have dealt us a serious blow. At present the Expedition is 110,000 dollars in debt. We must get out of debt before I can discuss any plans for the future. The moving picture, "With