THE INDUSTRIAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14686, 20 November 1909, Page 9

THE INDUSTRIAL WORLD.

NEWS AND NOTES. Br the Hox. J. T. Paul, M.L.O. Horns of information and brief comments «n questions coming under this heading are «lw»yB »-e!come. Books,.pamphlets, etc., sent to tho tditor of ibis column wili also La noticed. MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK, Tuesday—Slaughterrrjcn, Saw/millcri, Canister Workers. Wednesday— Socialists' Society. Mday—Engineers. Saturday — Engine ■ drivers, Typographical (Board).

CLERKS AND THEIR ORGANISATION.

Much has appeared in tho press curing tho .kst fortnight on th* panticsi of dorks in the matter of wa.gesa.nd working conditions and tho poiwibility of organising In eeverai centres they are being organised, and in tho case of Auckland t'im union, has been registered. Writing on tlio question of organisation of clerks, ''Unionist" (Wellington Evening Pott), in his "Labour Notes," fays that "tio far no mention Iras been made in lira Trades Council chambers of the organisation of a. clerks' union. It is generaKy recognised that f.ho formation of such a union would entail considerable espouse and 1 trouMo, and unless tho workers especially interested arc prepared to offer some definite encouragement there is little prospect of of tho Wellington Union ofticiaLi taking the matter up."

According to Sydney Worker " Very encouraging results ore following upon the publication by tho Clerks' Union cf reports into Mio conditions of bank clerks and station bookkeepers, the organisation of ckrks employed in these branches cf clerical industry proceeding in a very satisfactory manner. Iu addition, a request has eomo from a number .>f insurance elorks to be heard at a meeting of tho union in'regard to tho conditions they ton't enjoy in eomo of tho offices, with a view to a similar eystematic organisation being undertaker- in regard to the officers employed by insurance companies. The unions in tho othor States aro also moving on parallel lines with tho Sydney union. Present indications point to a vast movement in the direction of unity on the part of all sections of clerks throughout AustraJasta during tho next year, which will mean tho uprising of an organisation that in point of strength is likely to rival tho biggest associations in the Eoutharn hemisphere. Tho Sydney Union is now considering tho proposed rules for tho federation which is to embrace .the dorks' Unions in New South Wales, Queensland. Victoria, and South Australia." Tho information is also conveyed that " Last week the union heard from tho Canterbury Trades and Labour Council that tho clerks in Christchurch, Now Zealand, aru being organised, and a similar intimation has eomo from Dunedin. This means that the movement for the organisation of clerks has now been inaugurated in all the chief centres of Maoril&nxl. as it has- in tho chief ccntree of Australia." SUNDAY LABOUR. The question cf Sunday labour and a veekly day of 24 hours' rest lor every worker is likely to bo much heard of. 'lh« principal of one day's Kit in seven—Sunday .tor preference—has been adopted in niajiy countries leis progressive or Humanitarian, than our own. It will bo remembered that tho recent Trades and Labour Conference rcaflkincd the principle and urged its adoption on tl» Miinatcr of Labour. It is understood that the representations of tho deputation will not bo given effect to, and these wiho now work six days a week will, continue to do so.

Sunday labour is opposed by the religious bodies. Indeed, in moat countries whore u six-day week has been enacted Iho churches have been a facta' in bringing it about. A declaration .has recently been inado by tho Rev. George Keith, Moderator of the Presbyterian Assembly of New South Wales, which for straightforwardness is commendable. He has written to Sydney Labour Council thus: -" The Prosbytorian Churoh is opposed to Sunday labour everywhere, and knows no grounds for cxempticn except in the eases of necessity and mercy. If the Broken Hill Pro-Vmcttt-ry compel work beyond the toil of six days, they transgress Divine law.; (hoy transgress against humanity, for their action tends to degrade it. They transgress against the social and industrial system of the land, and impart feelings unfriendly to peace. They transgress against tho worker, for they lower his vitality, rob him of his strength, and shorten his days. They transgress against ttw employers "cE labour, for the Nemesis that is sure to oomo will aff-Kt tha whole- cla;s. They Ircr.s'jrcK against the country, which is e>':rcng and fiato only in the manhood d its people, and in the patriotism that r0.t.5 on common, interest and common friendship. This high sentiment and power must bo impaired by compulsion to Sunday labour, in the form <vf threat of dismissal, as surely ns'though it came in tho shape cf brute force. 'Phis being so, liu would not be Christina, but pseudo-Christian, who did not wish ccm-pl-eto Succor to your society in its effort to secure for Iho toiler his weekly day of rest."

Archdeacon Guntcr has also written to the Labour Council on (ho t-saio matter in the following strains:—"l deeply regret to hear that the Broken Hill Proprietary Company is compelling its men at Port Pirie to work seven days a week. Of this fact I can onlv say that this aciion is '* breach of tho law rf (led. and a shameful <'<oma:id on the rervices of 1,1:3 employees." DRAPERS' ASSISTANTS AND THEIR WAGES. "■More than was expected has been realised in tho first determination of the Victorian Drapers' Wages Board, and when it eomeo into force on November 22 the employees will bo in a bettor position than any others in the trade either in New South Wales or Queensland," Bays one of my Aus tralian Labour exchanges. An analysis of the terms of tho award shows that tho minimum wage for tr.ale adulU, 23 years of ago and over, has been (ixed at 60s a week for 50 hours' work, as compared with 45s in JJoiv South Wales for 55 hours' work

,-,nd 50s in Queensland for those 24 years of ago and over and 53 hours' work. Packers, porters, and storemeii are to get 42s 6d a week.

The wages for apprentices, improvers, and junior ass'stflitts. have been lixeil as follows:—Fifteen yoirs of age, 7s cd per week; 16 years, 10s; 17 years, 15s; 18 years, 20s; 19 years, 255; 20 years, 30s; 21 years (junior assistants), 37s M; 22 years (junior assistants), 435. Provision is also made in tho award for tho wages of assistants who commence work tit 17 years of age. They start at 10s per week, and receive vearly increases until they arc 22 years of a<?e, when the wage is 435. Similar provision is also made for these starting work nt 18 and 19 years of ago, but in each case they reach a minimum of 43s when 22 years of age.

Tho minimum of 27.3 6d per week of 50 hours has been fixed (or female senior asBistijnfa over tho use of 23 years employed in departments other than tho dross, Manchester, drapery, furniihinsr, or prints departments. Tho adult female wago in the Manchester, dress, prints, and furni-hiii"-department is to start at 21 years (37s 6d) a week, and «s is to be paid at 22 years of age, 60s afterwards. In Queensland the minimum for females is 27s bd, ami in Now South Wales it is 2os. Tho Victorian award is notablo in that equal pay for equal work is recognised whero females are employed in tho dress, Manchester, drapery furnishing, or prints departments. Female apprentice?, improvers, and junior assistants are. to receive tho following minimum rates: Fifteen years, ss; 16 Years, 7s 6d;"17 yearsMfc); 18 years, l?i 6d; 19 years, 15s; 20 years, 17s 6d, 21 years (junior assistants), 2ai-, 22 years, 255.

In addition, .here a also provision for grading the wages of female assistants, apprentices, or' improvors who commence work at the ages of 17,18, or 19 years. In each caso thoy reach a minimum of 43s at tho age of 22 years. The proportion of improvers to number of fully-paid workers is also provided for, and tho award as n whole is considered one «f the best, yet received from a legal triuilna. Tho affirmation of equal pav for ec I" al «ork is a big stride forward. . AN' ACUI'K POSITION. ily readers will havo rcmembared that a Motion of Ilaxmil! omiers soui: tune. since endeavoured to override the award of the wnri-™ "i F°'! rt b - v their ti'd^'V 3 ' t0 "'to «■»«• I.oL f \ .'"'''vicinal worker, ami but Of tA?* u « •««««. 0 f the q „e*,„ a U& h';' c !!ra to exaggerated, fo, the „J* a • t 'i , ostein which nullifies tho Arbitration Court award, any and overv cn^W' Z do tie suoq, "

In the course of a rccont judgment the Arbitrator Court apparently condones the suggested departure from its own award. Iu the judgment tho court sivys that " Tlio evidence showcJ that tile men knocked off for llio Easter holidays, and tho reason why ilney wore not taken on again was Iwcause defendants wished to cstablisli tho contract eystcm and tiny would not work un<lor that system. Judgment would ho for defendants, with costs." To this portion of the judgment tho Press Hank (the ollioial organ of the Manawatu I'Maxmills' Union) calls special attention, and coirtinuoi:—"ln commenting upon Judge 'Sim's decision as to tho legality of Broil! and ReevA contract form, wc pointed out that eomo slight—somo very slight—protection was afforded us by the judicial pronouncement thai m no circumstances could an employer insist upon a worker exchanging award rat<>3 for contract. Thai meed of protection, small and inadequate as it was, has now been removed by his latest decision regarding the discharge of Broad and Reeves's live scutchers. Tho protection accorded was so 6mall that ws are inclined to bail whh approval tho advers-j decision. Tlie contract system, or, as we prefer to put i. tlio piecework-vigrceiiioiit-sys.tem, now stands undisguised as a. perfectly adequate means of depriving the worker (not in this alone, but in any other industry) of tlio benefits which 'nave accrued to him after years of painstaking and ocstly legislation mwler the Arbitration Act, tho Workers Compensation Act, and tho A"i'ieultural Labourers' Accommodation A'ct. Tlmt is to say that the work of 15 .wars is absolutely undone by tho apparent illability of (lie judicial mind to discriminate between the loiter and the spirit of the law.

lilo position of tho. flaxmill workers is fwiously affected, and, fortunately, the Minister of Labour sees tho danger of a wholesale defeat of Arbitration Court awards by this system of contract. T'ne Minister has promised amendment to guard against any such contingency, and the alteration of the law will bo made tms session if possible. JOTTINGS.

Mr D. M'Laren. M.P., has resigned the secretaryship of Wellington Waterside Workers Union, and been appointed honorary and advisory secretary. Mr T. Smith fills Mr M'Lnren's old position. It has been decided by tlio Adelaide 'lradea and Labour Council and the United Labour party of South Australia to mako an addition to the Trades Hall Building, to ]>8 called tho " Price Memorial Wing," in 'honour of the late Labour Premier.

11l connection with the proposed Stonemasons' Federation the constitution drawn «P at the recent ;onfwcnce I)an bean, aecopied by the Christchurch and Auckland Unions. The Wellington Union will conthe question at its meeting on tho oQth ipst. It is expected that the Wellington masons will fall into line with the other unions. Dunodin was not rcprcranted at the conference, and has therefore taken no pint in the federation. I understand the Dundin Union., will be approached early in the year. A. joint enmniitte© of delegates from the I lumbers, Plasterers, Painters, and Buildin; Trades Labourers' Unions has been formed in Wellington. Tho object of this tody h io deal with any qusstion affecting unionists in (.lis building trades, and creating uniformity in awards (at preeont there sa. conflict on many points). The Carpenters'. Society has not yet seen its way to join. tho committee, but has pro miscd to throw in its lot at a later dato when the committee is in working order. A similar committee has been working in Ohnstchuroh for some 18 months and has accomplished good work. The Socialist Review for October, to horn! from (he publishers, contains the usual variety of luminous articles. In the Editorial Outlook the Budget crisis is the topic ui . supremo importance. In " Caar and Peasant" Felix Volkhovsky (editor of Free Russia) gives us a study 'of conflicting ideals In " Socialism and Welsh Nationality" E. Morgan Humphreys outlines sonic of tho principal traits of 'fcha Welsh nation as a guide to those who look to Wales as a good saed-ground (or Socialist thought. In " State Servants and-tho ■He-' cent French Strikes" .J. 11. Harley gives an historical sketch, illustrating the position of State employees ir -France, and the atlitiidi of the Government thereto. Many other articles of first importance ajso appear in tho mrmbar, and the Soeialist picture gallery this month is enriched with the portrait of Kobsrt Owen, the illustrious pioneer of Socialism in Britain. :

In the Commonwealth Arbitration Court, Sydney, the following dialoguo took place tho other dav:

Alexander Loudon, president of the New South Wales Boot and Shoo Manufacturers' Association, said tho work in faetoi'es had bjen made easier by the introduction ot machinery.

Judge Higgins: How easier? Do you moan to say that in jour factory you allow a man to be idle and take things easy! 1 Witness: So. 'Phen he : s at full spurt all tho time?— Yes.

Then why is it easier labour"—Tho manual labour is lessoned.

But the man has to put more stuft through?— Yes.

Judge Higgins: I cannot accede to this talk about the work not being laborious. I don't say that it is more laborious,- but it is commensonse to believe that the work is laborious.

HIGH STJBBET SCHOOL UAZAAK

The High Street School Bazaar was continued yesterday and last evening, with great success. In tho evening it number of enjoyable items were rendered by tho school children. As already stated, tho proceeds are iil aid of the fund for tho school swimming baths, and we understand that it is probable that tenders will be called for their construction shortly, so that the work can bo got in hand during the Christmas holidays. Tho committee set out with the idea of raising £100 by means of the bazaar, and last evening, when the doors wore closed it was found that the sun' of £GS had boon realised for the two days. The bazaar will bn open this evening from half-past 7 till 10 o'clock.