UNION NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 453, 24 April 1909, Page 3

UNION NOTES.

[This column ia edited by the Flaxmilla Employees’ Union Executive. All matters for publication under this head must be forwarded to the Secretary of the Umon.l

THE BROKEN HILL CASE,

What with Judge Sims’ remarks anent preference in New Zealand, and Judge Higgins’ decision regarding a living wage in Australia, it would appear that our friend "Fat” is not having too good a time at the present. Judge Higgins defined a living wage as ‘ ‘ the money necessary to satisfy the normal needs of an average employee regarded as a human being in a civilised community.” He added that " any industrial enterprise which cannot pay such a living wage as thus defined, had better cease to exist.”

These utterances are particularly apropos to the existing conditions in our own industry. Some time ago we voiced the latter part of his Honor’s remarks at a Conference, and were replied to with uplifted eyebrows, emphasing” the indifference of the remark that the millers "could not force us to work for them if the wage was lowered below living rates.” It is satisfactory to have our poor idea confirmed by so unquestionable

an-authority as Mr Justice Higgins. A PAT ON THE BACK.

Our Secretary recently received Irom the Palmerstou branch of the N.Z. Socialist League, a letter, complimenting the Union upon the way in which the case for labour against royalties was placed before Mr Hogg. We were advised that a motion supporting us would be brought forward at their forthcoming Conference in Wellington. This has since been carried, and a copy forwarded to the Minister for Labour. In this connection we would add (for the benefit of those members not present when the letter was read) that the branch of the league iu Palmerston has issued a hearty invitation to any of our members to visit at their Hall in Fitzherbert St. at any time they are in town. We strongly urge the acceptance of this offer when possible. Some of us may consider the aims of their party a trifle Utopian, others may not hold with all their methods, but all of us must applaud their intense earnestness and the sincerity with which they work for the betterment of the toilers. MORAL SUPPORT FROM WELLINGTON. The Trades and Labour Council have passed resolutions, approving of the action of the five scutchers who refused to assist Messrs Broad and Reeves in their attempt to foist a contract system upon us, and deciding to state a case for the Court on the matter. At the moment nothing remains but to mark time pending the action of the Department. "He who believetb,” saith old Isaiah, " doth not make haste,” so we have scriptural warrant for a policy of masterly inactivity on our own part! THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. We would urgently impress upon such of our Foxton members as are upon the municipal roll, the advisability of attending the meeting at the registered office on Saturday evening, at 7.30 o’clock, in order that we may select a ticket representing as nearly as possible Union ideas. A Union without a political pull (even in municipal politics'! is somewhat after the style of a gun without a cartridge. So roll up, you politicians who want water, side-walks, and a drainage system, as opposed to the old policy of stodginess and stagnation, which we have so long tolerated. TRADES COUNCIL’S CONFERENCE.

This is to be held in Wellington during the first week of the forthcoming session of Parliament, and we are just in receipt of a letter asking our Secretary to allow himself to be nominated as one of the delegates for the Wellington Province. This is more important than at first glance it would seem. The Conference will represent delegates from practically every branch of organised labour in the Dominion, and the request extended to our Secretary has been made with the sole idea of allowing us public hearing regarding the various points at issue between us and the millers. An acceptance of the offer, together with a copy of the remit in support of which Mr Robinson will speak, goes by to-day’s mail. a little WFT FROM THE STATES. By declaring the traffic between the Philippines and the U.S.A. “ coastal trade,” the Americans have given what will probably prove ta be a slight assistance to the hemp market. This provision will necessitate all export cargo to the States being carried in Ameri- - can bottoms, and will also neces- . sitate an export duty on hemp consigned to other quarters. We do not anticipate a very big rise on this account, but as we are told with almost wearisome iteration, “ every little helps in the present State of things,” and what applies to wages, will also, we presume, apply to tariffs.