WORK AND WAGES.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9574, 27 July 1923, Page 6

WORK AND WAGES.

MINERS’ DISPUTE IN N.S.W. A HITCH IN SETTLEMENT. SYDNEY, July 26. A coal hitch is said to have arisen through John Brown insisting on the introduction of a Sullivan turbine air machine at Pelawmain colliery. The miners contend such is in conflict with the agreement, which provides for resumption on the same conditions which were operating when the stoppage occurred. The owners’ representative explained that the new machine was working S' >r to the stoppage, but no award yet been made respecting ,it. The dispute, unless speedily adjusted, may jeopardise the agreement.

STOCKS FROM OVERSEAS. MELBOURNE, July 26. In consequence of the disturbed state of the coal industry in New South Wales, coal consumers of Victoria and South Australia are placing orders’in South Africa and England. —U.P.A. STRIKERS FINED AT NEW PLYMOUTH. NEW PLYMOUTH. July 26. The Magistrate, Mr. Movvlem, gave judgment this morning in the case in which fifty-five watersiders were proceeded against by the Inspector of Awards for failing to respond to a call to work the steamer O-pawa at 1 p.m. on May 8. The‘Magistrate held that there was a common agreement among the men not to return, thus constituting ’a strike. He fixed the penalty at £3 in each case, the-Union entering into a bond to pay the total fines and expenses if an appeal Ms nnsucceessful or not proceeded with. —P.A.

HAS CAPITALISM FAILED ? A POLITICAL TESTIMONY. In the Melbourne University clubhouse the Melbourne University Debating Society Judd a debate on the subject, “That the Capitalistic System Has Failed to Promote the Welfare of Society.” Delivering his judgment Mr Hughes said that all his life he had couched u lance against the capitalistic system; but one had to look the fact* in tho face. One night’s sleep in the Domain was better trainnient for the Judgment than 50,000 pages of a hook. It was no use saying that society had not progressed. When he had first organise;! a wharf laborers' union, the men were hour for a tea-hour ,day. Now they got a sum nearer 2s. No one had ever had such opportunities as to-day. “What handicap is there in any man’s way? I cannot see it,” said Mr Hughes, “and I am speaking front a life’s experience. The capitalistic system works. Medical students will realise that it is the same with a man’s body. According to all the rules of the game, the damned thing ought to hus‘l;’. But it works!” (Loud laughter.) “The only thing to do, ho continued, was to* improve it till it was improved out of existence. (Hear, hear.) There was a diffusion of wealth in Australia, though some speakers had denied it.” Having given his decision that, on the merits of the debate, the opened had .won, Mr Hughes concluded by complimenting the Society on the high standard of its speaking.