THE LABOUR WORLD

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8367, 1 March 1913, Page 15

THE LABOUR WORLD

UNITY, POLITICAL ACTION AND LIBERALISM.

(By Hiram Hunter, Secretary Federated Drivers and Carters.)

There can bo but one answer to tlio ■question, Should tho forces of Labour ha united?—and if you put tho question to any wage-earner ho will answer most emphatically, “yes,” Is there any valid reason why Labour should not bo united? Tho answer is just as emphatic in the negative. At the recent conference in Wellington every delegate was desirous of unity, with tho result that a basis of unity was agreed upon for submission to the organised workers of the Dominion, through their own particular unions; and Itrust that when tho business comes before these bodies tho decision will he just as unanimous for adoption of tho principles embodied in the circular submitted as it was in tho conference chamber at Wellington.

Every unionist should determine to do his utmost to persuade his follow worker to attend his union meeting and to co-operato with tho officers of the union in securing new members and strengthening the union in every possible way. See to it that the. union is linked up with tho federation in its particular industry, and the federation in turn linked up with kuuh-ed federations, and tho whole of the federated trades and industries joined in one grand United Federation of Labour. The goal is in sight, fellow-workers. Do not forget for one moment, wherever you may he, that you are a unionist, and as such in duty bound in your own interest to act as an organiser to obtain recruits to assist you in bettering your own position in tho immediate futnre, and that of your children in time to come. With a united working class army it is possible to elect the Parliament Of New Zealand at the next election, composed of the nominees from tho ranks of organised Labour. The benefits to be obtained by tho workers organising and sending delegates to a Labour Congress whereat every organisation of workers in the country will bo represented are so obvious. so palpable as to ho beyond dispute.. It is the only method whereby the workers can get: together and thresh out their differences of opinion. Let the majority decide what the future constitution, policy and platform wil-he, and whatever that decision is it must be loyally adhered to by every democrat throughout tho length and breadth of the land. - The working men and women ot New Zealand have each a vote and they have merely to make ujp their minds collectively) Bp to what they want and govern themselves by voting lor men at the ballot-box who are pledged to carry out the measures n £r r upon at tho Labour Congress, p.n,d embodied in tli© labour puvtionnEvery wage-earner should vote on principle for his own side. Self-pre-servation is the first law of nature; it does not matter whether the candidate is known to you or not, ho is on your side, and as such must naturally be opposed to those who are always trying to squeeze more and more from their employees in one hundred and one different ways. Take heed of the past! . You have been led to support politicians, who were "alleged : to be in sympathy with Labour, but refused to give a written pledge to vote for anything. Would you; give a Liberal politician a lease of a property without a legal document being signed and sealed ? I think not, but yet you have given these gentlemen your votes on promise of sympathetic treatment, to enable them to make laws which will perhaps rum your home life or rob yon of your liberty; perhaps prevent you exercising parental control over your own eon, or take him from yon withoutyour consent. , No, friends, the time has arrived when to stem the tide of reaction which has set in tho workers must deride upon the reforms they require, ynd then engage men to carry out their wishes by legal enactment,. and* administer the laws in the spirit in which they are passed. ' Workers, when considering a candidate far any public position, ask yourselves whether ho would be suitable as tho president of your union. Has ho any interests that clash with yours? tf so, disqualify him at once. .In the past Labour was hoodwinked into an amalgamation of its forces with the Liberals. In tho early stages Labour was treated with respect, but gradually as the years went by it received less consideration, Labour principles were lost sight of, and the leaders «{ the Liberal Administration, in conridering tho question of giving tho Government nomination to a candidate was not particular as to his political principles; their chief concern was to find out uho would give a general support to the Government and if Ite was prepared to keep it in power; am if a man of standing in his district, with a good chance of success, he received tho endorsement of the Government.

This policy resulted in disaster, as wo are all aware, and proves that a party without a platform is like a ship without a rudder. Any party to achieve success must consist of men holding principles in common, principles which are part of their being; earnest, sincere and tried men who have been trained in the school of experience in the ranks of Labour, and will do all in their power to obtain the demands of the workers for economic justice—not as a compliment, but as a right. Such a party would make history, and indeed make New Zealand legislation worthy of emulation by other countries. The Unity Congress in July will make possible such ft _ glorious consummation. Fellowunionists, be true to yourselves, and make that congress the success it ought to be. GENERAL NOTES DOINGS IN NEW ZEALAND AND ABROAD. (Contributed by “Demos.”) Tho Wellington -Merchants’ Assistants’ Union has had a substantial increase in membership since the award camo into operation. It is tho intention of tho union to organise tho other trades covered by their registration immediately. At tho next sitting of thojArbitration, Court tho union is applying to have thirteen more firms placed under tho award.

During the last seven months the Waterside Workers’ Union has enrolled 800 new members. From a liuanciu! standpoint this is no doubt a line record, but, unfortunately, many of the members are unable to obtain employment. 'Quito recently when there were seven. Home. boats in port, besides the

usual coastal fleet, no less than 250 men wore idle, there being no employment offering. Many members of theunion who have earned their livelihood) on tho water-front tor many years, past have been compelled, through the surplus supply of labour, to remain outof work. .

The District Council has now secured 3000 signatures in favour of the Saturday half-holiday movement. The special committee which is dealing with the matter has arranged to have tables placed at several of tho street corners this afternoon and evening, when it is expected to considerably add to tho names already on tho peti-, tiou. Tho enrolment of those entitled to veto at tho coming municipal election will also be gone on with at the same places.

There is to ho a big trades union! rally in His Majesty’s Theatre to-mor-row evening. The Wellington Waterside Workers’ Band is to supply the music on this occasion.

Tho Wellington Drivers’ Union is holding its quarterly meeting on Friday next, March 7th. The new secretary, Mr Parlance, is to take complete charge on March Ist. ,

Tho Auckland ooachworkers’ dispute, which came before the Conciliation Commissioner in August last, - and was referred to the court with none of the vital clauses settled, and then withdrawn by the employers at the suggestion of the judge, has now been settled in the Conciliation Council, after a sitting occupying five hours and threequarters, tho result being satisfactory to both parties. The unionlias been successful in securing a good preference clause, which is a marked improvement on the . old employment hook preference.

Alderman T. P. Hymes, who is a pro-' minenfc inember of the Labour party,, has boon elected Mayor of Broken Hill, unopposed.

At a recent meeting of the Brisbane Federated Storemen and Packers’ Union, it was announced by Mr McNamara, president pf the federation, that it is their intention to secure, through the machinery provided by the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act, an award operating throughout Australia. Mr "P. J. darey, of tho , Victorian branch, reported that in the first nine months of organisation they had secured 1100 members. Mr T. Miller, general' ■ secretary of the Federation, reported that- in the New South -Wales -branch there were 6000 members.

The award of the N.S.W. Painters’ (Country) Wages Boaid which came into effect at the beginning of January, operates throughout the State with the exception of tho County of Yancowinna, Tho minimum wage fixed for all classes of painting is Is 4d per hour. Tho further award for ship-painters in all parts of the. State fixes rates for thgs.6 at a minimum of Is 5d per hour.

The question has been raised as to whether junior judges to Mr Justice Higgins, having been appointed, one of them should not take charge of the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Court work, the rule being that the junior judge shall take that duty. Mr Hughes has seen Mr Higgins, the present .president of lie court, on tho subject, and ho has undertaken to finish his term as presiding judge, which has about two years to run.

' Mr Charles Borromeo Fitzgerald, tho first and only Labour Attorney-General in Queensland, died in tho Longreach Hospital last week from heart failure. The late 1 Mr Fitzgerald was born in Rockhampton on June 28th, 1865, ana was the fifth son' of the late Mr T. H. Fitzgerald, sugar planter, of Maokay. He was educated in France, and studied for his profession of barrister-at-law in Brisbane. 1

The Brisbane Plumbers and Gasfitters’ Wages Board has increased the wages of journeymen from 9s and 10s per day to 11s per day. An increase has also been secured for improvers in their fifth and sixth years.