DEMANDS OF LABOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12076, 2 March 1925, Page 7

DEMANDS OF LABOUR

GREATER UNITY COUNSELLED. TO*GAIN "WORKERS’ CHARTER.” Reuter’s Telegram. March 1, 5.5 p.m.) , LONDON, February 28: , The National Trades Council, in conference, appointed a committee with a view to securing greater unity in the trade union movement, but the object especially of enforcing the “Trade Union Industrial Workers’ Charter.” The conference of the Miners’ Federation at Blackpool was marked by acrimonious ’ discussion between Mr Frank Hodges and Mr A. J. Cook, the past and, present secretaries, the former counselling the miners to adopt a more conciliatory attitude in their efforts to secure, a redre&s of their grievances. The/ conference ultimately decided to remit the wages proposals,to the districts, pending; further investigations.

The “Workers’ Charter” was drawn up at the Trade Union Congress in 1924. It embodies a long series of claims annually put forward, such as: working week of 44 hours; legal minimum wage for each industry; adequate maintenance of unemployed; improved housing; pensions at 60, and pensions to widowed mothers and to 'orphans; full educational facilities from olementary school to university y extension of training facilities to unemployed, etc.