NOTES AND COMMENTS ON LABOUR QUESTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13672, 13 February 1908, Page 8

NOTES AND COMMENTS ON LABOUR QUESTIONS.

BY ARTISAN.

The . Tannera" and Leather Dressers' Union of Victoria contemplate federating with the New South Wales Society, with tho object of gaining the advantage of the Federal Arbitration Act They also contemplate starting a class for teaching technical education, 60 that the workers may be able to keep pace with tho times, the advent of new machinery and new methods of working in tho trade having rendered such a course necessary. Tho advanced thinkers of the union consider that when men are displaced by improvements in one branch of the trade they should be prepared to take up another, and this can only bo brought about by technical knowledge. In West Australia the Arbitration Court has awarded the Butchers' Union . tho following rates, payable weekly:—First shopman and first small goods man, £3 10s; other shopmen, email goods men, salters, £3; cutting cart hands, £3; cart or order hands (who cut orders and deliver and also assist in shop), £2 15s; carters, grooms, and all other workmen, £2 10s; apprentices or improvers (under 20 years of age), first year £1 ss, second £1 15s, third £2 ss; casual hands shall bo paid 17s per day on Saturdays and 12s per day on other days. Provision is also made for the employment of apprentices at the ratio of an apprentice or improver to threo fully-paid workmen. At the half-yearly meeting of the Sydney Furniture Trades' Union it was reported that in view of the nominal expiry of the New South Wales award arrangements were in progress for \ conference with the employers in Sydney for the purpose of drawing up cl fresh agreement. After lengthy negotiations with the furniture trades societies throughout the Commonwealth and New Zealand, a scheme has been devised for the establishment of a system of correspondence and a telegraphic code, the object being to prevent the transference of men from one State to another during a dispute. The report and balance-sheet showed that the society was flourishing numerically and financially. During the year there were three death allowances and 800 sick pays provided for.

As the Chicago scandals Jed to.a temporary boycott of American tinned meats, bo rhe American crisis has led to a boycott of America itself by the European emigrant. In fact, the current of emigration has been reversed, the inflow has bceu trasformed into an outflow, and the exodus has been tremendous. During tho week ending December 6 the number of emigrants from the United States for Europe was 75,000, and the week before 60,000. During tho month of November and the latter weeks of October it was estimated that over 400,000 persons had quitted tho United States for the European Continent, and, a large pro-, portion of this number consists of men who have been thrown out of work by the closing of factories and workshops, tho stoppages of railway extensions, and the paralysis of industry. Significant also is the fact that from Canada a similar exodus has been taking place. Numbers of those who went to settle in Canada are now, owing to the lack of employment, returning to their native land.

' It seems rather strange, but nevertheless it is true, that tho health-giving qualities of our many thermal springs are denied to the great mass of our workpeople. No facilities arc afforded for week-end trips at reasonable rates. Rotorua and Te Aroha may be reckoned too far, but wo have right at our doors springs equal to any for healthgiving qualities at Helensville. If provision were made so that the trip could be made and excursionists could be back in town in time to start their week's work on Monday morning, I have no doubt that largo numbers would avail themselves of-the opportunity. Excellent accommodation at reasonable rates can be obtained at Helensville, and the charge for conveyance to springs, including access to the baths, and return, is only Is. The whole trip could be done for 15s. The one thing wanted is an acceleration of speed on the Kaipara trains. I commend thfe consideration of this question to the unions, and trust that they may take the matter up and reap some benefit from our thermal springs.