ORGANISED LABOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11423, 20 January 1923, Page 5

ORGANISED LABOUR

AN IMPORTANT MOVE “TO WORK IN CONSTITUTIONAL MANNER.” TRADES COUNCILS’ FEDERATION. An important proposal is being launched by the Wellington Trades and Labour Council for the formation of a Trades and Labour Councils’ Federation, one of the special objects being to maintain the system of arbitration ns a means of settling industrial disputes. Yesterday, Mr J. Read, president ot the Trades and Labour Council, said that the reasons adduced for the formation of the proposed federation ivere: — ... (1) That no special application has been made by any nationally organised Labour-body to deal with labour legislation since the cessation of the activities of the old National Trades Councils’ Federations (2) That it was thought imperatively necessary that Labour should devote itself to the idea of improving the Dominion’s labour legislation generally, and urging the removal of defects where these are found; (3) To endeavour to repeal laws, which are found to be to Labour’s disadvantage, and, generally speaking, to work in a constitutional manner for the improvement of the position of the workers as a whole. “In addition to 1 this,” said Mr Read, “is the fact that those unions which are primarily disposed to adhere to the Arbitration Act have no national organisation to act as a guide for their representatives on the Arbitration Court. That this is a shortcoming that should be overcome is quite obvious, and one which has certainly been overcome by the employers in New Zealand. In this respect the employers have given a lead latterly to the unions, registered under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. “In the opinion of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council, more permanent gain can be secured by this method than by any other which has been advocated during the last fifteen years. Legislation obtained by this metnod under somewnat sympathetic government has remained, while gains secured by other means have very frequently been taken away when adverse conditions have arisen. The council is proposing to take steps immediately to get in touch with the trades councils in other centres of the Dominion with a view of the re-organisation of the old federation, and we are hoping to secure the hearty co-operation of the other centres:” '