LABOUR.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 11 April 1912, Page 5

LABOUR.

STEAMER CAPTAINS AND OFFICERS FEDERAL ARBITRATION COURT AWARD.MERCHANT SERVICE Gt'ILP SATISFIED. SHIP-OWNERS DECLARE AWARD DISASTROUS. (PrtES3 AagociAticfJi.—GgpxmoHT.) (Recfeivtd O.SB u.Jih) MELBOURNE, This Day. The Federal Arbitration Court award, iii the case M-ereharife Setvvze Guild against the steamship owners, provides: an all-round increase of wages for caj>' tains and officers on inter-State passenger and cargo vessels ; an eightliour day ; overtime payment; increased holidays; one months' notice, or pay after three months' service, when officer's- articles expiring. The president reserved further consideration of the question whether the award would apply to, or to what extent, boats of the Union Company, Huddart-Parker, and a number of other companies trading outside Australia. The award is proposed to have a_ currency of five years .oper'dtifig from May Ist. The Guild expresses satisfaction at thfi award. The ship-owners in Sydney ijtles tion the power of the Court to deal with vessels trading within one State only, and they also predict that the increased cost involved will be disastrous to the- shipping trade, which would be driven into the hands of big foreign companies;' otherwise all increases must be passed on to the public, as the ship-owners cannot bear them.

POSTAL SERVANTS' CONFERENCE

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILi l.\ CI STATE EMPLOYEES.

(Received April 11, 9.50 a.m.' LONDON, April 10

The Postal Servants' Coilfei'ertee at Bristol, it was improper for postal workers to strike, St;ite employment entailing special responsibilities.

THE NEWCASTLE MINERS.

A CHANGE OF FRONT

(Received 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day

A considerable section of coalminers is changing front- in regard to the abolition of the afternoon shift, fearing that the result will be the throwing of many men out of employment.

SYDNEY BUILDING TRADE,

ALARM AMONGST PRIVATE FIRMS

(Received 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day

The issue u£ a circular by the Bricklayers' Union that the Government require 700 bricklayers, /who would be guaranteed two years' work at best rates, and a report that the full number had applied, caused alarm amongst builders, who declare that it will paralyse the private building trade, which, is unable now to fill requirements in regard to bricklayers.

THE LITHOOW STRIKE

(Received 9.35 a.m.)

SYDNEY, This Day. Although the Lithgow strike is not yet officially declared off the embargo on Lithgow iron, which caused the stoppage of the Sydney foundries, lias been removed, -and the men have resumed. LABOUR IN POLITICS. WELLINGTON, This Day. The delegates attending the various conferences at present in progress here, were entertained at a . social laet night. Messrs Laurenson, Han.au, Ell. McDonald. R. McKenzie, and Sir J. G. Ward were present. Mr. McKenzie predicted that if the Labour Party went about their work systematically they would have- control of Parliament within the next 40 (?) . yearfe. He believed they would have an- . other election before September. Mr. Hanan said that the people of this country would have to be up and . -doing if they were to keep pace with . other countries. Education must be free . from the primary schools to the university. s As Mr. Hanan concluded Mr. J. Hind- ! marsh, M.P., rose and said that be had [ refused to attend, the Liberal caucus the. other day, "and I hope you will allow me to retire from this meeting." He then left the room. Responding to the "Press" Professor Mills said that by the unity, proposals they had brought 60,000 unionists together. There were 15,000 more workers they were going to bring into the united labour party, and then they coul I send to Parliament a party would do what they wanted. DELEGATES DISPLEASED.^ WELLINGTON, This Day. As a sequel to last night's Labour social, several delegates at the New Zealand Labour Party's Conference to-day took exception to the arrangement- for invitation, and drawing up the toast list. Included in - the latter were several Ministers of the Crown, and delegates to-day strongly emphasised the independence of the Labour Party. A resolution was passed regretting the occurrence of last night, and the unfortunate position into which delegates weie unwillingly placed. UNITY PROPOSALS ADOPTED, WELLINGTON, This Day. The New Zealand Labour Party, at its , conference to-day, considered proposals j which had been brought down in connec- ; tion with the Unity Conference. It was agreed that the namevof the organisation be "The United Labour Party of New . Zealand," and that its objects shiall be to promote the organisation of all the workers of New Zealand in all forms of necessary service ; to protect their interests in the matter of regular, rational, and re. munorativo employment; to promoto their good citizenship land to increase their efficiency ; to consolidate their political power in their own behalf and to use their whole power, both political and economic, in negotiations with employers, before Courts, in municipal, county, and Dominion Governments, in interna- ! tional relations, and if need be. in indus- ' trial revoit; to use the fruits of every partial victory to strengthen and continue this work until the power to oppress and exploit any of the workers, either by private monopolies controlling ■ the Government, or througrj private monopoly ; ownership and control of industry, shall utterlv disappear, and there shall be secured for the people power ] to purchase with their income the total products of their labour —until, in short, ■ the means of production, distribution, and exchange in so far as they constitute in private bands instruments of oppression and exploitation, shall be socially owned and operated without profit, and for the common good of all. A number of other general clauses' were also adopted.

THE SHEARERS' UNION. DEPUTATION TO HON. G. LAURENSON. WELLINGTON, April 10. •Meb's?6 King, Laracy, McLeod, McLennan aiid Hall waited on the Hon. G. Laurenson, Minister fur Labour, as a deputation from the- Shearers' Union. They.urged that, as there is one award ;«ppHcable to the whole of the Doniinioff «ne central registered office of: the union sftomd be sufficient, instead of having to maintain offices in each industrial district, as tl'J® law now compels the union to do. It- was also desired that the Act should be ntade more effective aa regards accommodation"- ior shearers.^ The Minister promised-, the eubject careful consideration, and to lay the matters before the Cabinet. DENNISTON MINERS. •'CONSIDERING THE POSITION." _____ W'L'STPORT, April 10. The Westport Coal Company received !!,■ 4omand to-day from . the Enginedrives' Union at Danniston for an assistant to bo placed with the drivers in charge of tile «ngiius driving the fans at the mines. Thi> Company refused tha demand. The Miners' Union thereupon notified the Cotopany that they, would take to-morrow off-to consider the-posi-tion ; consequently section ©f the Company's mines will be idle tomorrow. WORKERS' COMPENSATION. SHOULD BE TAKES OVER BY'THET STATU. WELLINGTON, Tin's Day. > The amendments to the Workers* Compensation for Accidents Act were drscussed at the Trades and Labour Councils conference to-day. It was .resolved that the Act be am«nded in the .direction of nullifying any agreement" that may ba entered into with any insurance company and any person entitled to cotn-' pensation. Several speakers stated that frequently worker were induced by .representatives otf insutrance .companies to , £tgf» away part of their rights. It was also agreed - that the Act bo amended to take away the power from a judge which allows him to withhold compensation, unless the patient submits to-an anaesthetic for an operation. A further motion was passed as follows : "That in ,th e opinion of this..Conference the whole' of the insurance business in connection .with the Workers' Compensation Act- should be taken over by the State." MINISTER'S REPLY TO A REPUTATION. NATIONALISATION OF THE ' TIMBER INDUSTRY. *

STATE FERRY SERVICE: FOE THE

STRAITS

MUNICIPAL MILK SUPPLY*-

WELLINGTON, This Day. Beplying to a deputation, from thp [ Timber Workers' conference the Hon. G. Laurenson said that he had a deal of sympathy with the proposal to nationalise the timber industry, but he did not think it could be tackled in the near future. _ He did, not see how they could avoid leaving mortgages, the first call-in tho ca3e of bankrupt employers. He personally favoured increasing",tho duty on foreign timber, but that would mean raising the. cost of living. The establishment of a State ferry service would be the necessary corollary to the completion of the South. Island Main Trunk railway. On other points the Minister, said that he was in sympathy with the objects of ilie deputation. v - On* the question of tho price Q.f -food Mr. Laurenson said that the milk supply should be dealt with by municipalities. Under a municipal-system ,the cost of distribution wchild be reduced by 75 per cent.