AUCKLAND TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9034, 21 April 1888, Page 6

AUCKLAND TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

Ths annual meeting of the above waa held last evening, at Robson's Rooms. There was a full attendance of members. Mr. Tudehope, the president, occupied the chair. The question of the present strike in the tailoring trade was brought up and discussed, when it was shown that this was the fourth time an attempt had been made in Auckland to reduce what is known as the " tenpenny log" to Sd. It was also shown that throughout the rest of New Zealand the prevailing: rate of wages was 1? an hour, and no complaints were heard from employers, nor any attempt to reduce the wages. The "eightpenny log" virtually meant Sd an hour. It was also shown that the statement made recently by a master tailor that a tailor could earn "by working a little overtime from £3 to £3 10s a week meant really that to do so a man would have to work eighteen or nineteen hours a day. The Council agreed to give its support to the journeymen tailors. The secretary then read the report for the year ending the 31st March last, which was adopted together with the balance-sheet, which after ait disbursements showed a credit balance of £6 16s. The report commenced with an interesting resume of the proceedings of the Council from its first inception twelve years ago, showing how it had tided over all dirh'culties until now, when it was tirmly planted as one of the institutions of the city. It then goes on to say : —

In the month of July the Council adopted a political programme as a manifesto setting forth the views Held by them, and on which candidates for seats in the House of Representatives at the then approaching elections would be selected to receive their support and interest. In the ultimate result rive out of the seven candidates supported by the Council were elected, one, Sir George Grey, being unopposed. In August the Seamen's Union found it in the interests of their organisation to withdraw their men from the Northern S.S. Co.'s boats, as theproprietors of that company refused to accede to the very reasonable and proper demands of the Union. The latter then placed vessels of their own to take up the trade of the Northern S.S. Co., and run in opposition to them. These boats are still running in opposition, and it behoves all those who wish well to trades unionism, and who desire to see our labour organisations flourish, to back up by every means in their power the energetic action of the Seamen's Union. There cannot be two opinions as to what will be the result of the contest. The Federated Seamen's t'nion of Australasia is rich enough and powerful enough to successfully compete with a much stronger company than the one now opposed to it. But as a matter of fact the Seamen's Union is not flghtinjr the battle single-handed, for that Union is backed up with the powerful moral as well as financial support of the other Trade Unions, not only in this colony but throughout Australia. A deputation of the Council wa3 appointed this month, to wait upon the Honorable the Minister of Justice, to urge upon him the advisability of appointing a Railway Board of Appeal for the Auckland district, and also to place before him the desire of the Council that that, body should appoint one of the three members composing the Board. The Minister having consulted with his colleagues, granted the request, and the Council appointed Mr. J. P. King as thair nominee. This nomination was duly confirmed by the Government. This public and official recognition of the Council by those in authority marks almost a new era in the social position occupied by the working clauses in this colony. The time was, and not eo far distant, when such a request coming from such a source, would have been scouted with scorn. But labour now ia recognised not only as a great power.. in the land tliat politicians dare not run counter to, but it is also allowed that its representatives are in every way fitted to take leading positions, both in matters concerning themselves and also in national matters concerning the general welfare. This is a great step in advance; and the action of the Council in securing this recognition from the Government should, even if nothing else did, open the eyes of those of the working classes who are now blind to their own interests, and cause them to appreciate more those labour organisations which have raised them from being mere machines to positions of social and political independence. The question of the hours of labour of children employed in a local factory was brought under the notice of the Government, with the result that the Government undertook that the hours should be properly regulated. The Council also expostulated with the Government upon the short notico given to fifty or sixty railway employes, whose services were to be dispensed with. In this case also the Government acceded to the wishes of the Council, and prolonged the notice. It will be seen that although nothing overwhelmingly startling has been effected by the Council during the pant twelve months, yet good work has been done, and steady progress has been made. Many social reforms have yet to be made before the working classes will be placed on a perfectly equal footing with the governing class, the remedies necessary to accomplish this have been frequently discussed at the Council's meetings during the past year. Legislation can alone, however, put these matters straight, and not until the working classes, who represent the majority of the electors of the colony, realise their great privileges, their great power, and their great responsibilities, and exercise tlieir franchise intelligently and conscientiously, such legislation is not likely to take place.

Officers were elected for the ensuing twelve months, and afterwards a discussion took place on the statement made by the Hon. Mr. Fisher, that the New Zealand railway porters were in receipt of higher daily wages than those in Victoria. This was denied, and one case was mentioned where a late New Zealand railway employe, on going to Victoria, was at once taken on the railway there, and his wages on commencing Were 7s 6d per diem. In New Zealand no porter could command such pay until he had been several years in the service.

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