THE INDUSTRIAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22911, 19 June 1936, Page 20

THE INDUSTRIAL WORLD

NEWS AND NOTES

By J. T. Paul.

The essential character of true liberty is that under its shelter many dilicrcnt types of life and character and opinion and belief can develop unmolested and unobstructed. —W. E. H. Lecky. THE ORGANISING EPIDEMIC. An Auckland view of the present activity is stated by “ Industrial Tramp m these terms:— , "This epidemic, which took ns rise during the “turn of the equinox in March last, has steadily increased m intensity ever since, and even now the most optimistic enthusiasts in unionism cannot safely declare that it has reached the peak. A glance at our list of union meetings arranged for the week will present to the thoughtful reader quite a number of additions to our regular list of organised unions, so familiar tojis the past, and, as the hymn says, Mill there is more to follow. _ So intense is the feeling to organise taking hold ot tne community that some people are anxious to have a little muon of their own to play with, and taking steps accordingly, but not hitherto with much success, tor the registrar of industrial unions, governed by the clause in the Act which does not countenance a multiplicity oi unions in the one industry, has already refused several of these well-meant endeavours to bring about a betterment m working conditions in businesses that have hitherto been run on the old principle of supply ami demand. Guilds and shop unions arc not to be officially recognised. Even the clerical workers in local bodies appear to be infected with this organising virus, for I notice that when the question was being discussed by a small local body in the country a member suggested that as they had only one person affected that employee should form a union of his own. Perhaps that employee is a single man and will take the hint."

CLERICAL WORKERS’ CONDITIONS. The Wellington Clerical Workers' Union has issued n statement in reply to some of the criticism regarding the proposed scale of wages and its clfcct on those at present ruling. . “We fully realise," the unions statement continues, “how difficult it is to make a satisfactory classification ot tlie many types of office workers, and appreciate constructive criticism of this nature. The rates suggested (e.g., £3 2s 0d to £5 for senior stenographers; £0 for book keepers, etc.) were intended to app y to the oil importing firms, and then only as an approximate guide. Scales for othei types of business have not yet been completed and there is no intention of trying to establish a rigid formula. “As regards the lower rates of pay, We union certainly desires to bring the wages of all clerical workers at least up to the levels quoted, but it docs not wish to do this by causing the higher salaries to be reduced, and in any ease employees earning more than £4OO per annum arc outside' its scope. “Precautions will bo taken to prevent dismissals as the result of any benefits conferred on lower-paid employees, the Government itself was well aware of tnis dantrer and took steps to prevent its Shops and Offices Act from having this effect, by inserting a clause which states that ‘no person who is employed in any shop or office at the commencement ot this Act shall be dismissed . . . by reason merely of any reduction or alteration made in his working hours pursuant to the Act.’ “ Finallv it cannot be too strongly emphasised that despite the fact that unionism is now compulsory in linns covered by an award, it is for the employees m each section of the occupation to help themselves and the union to secure that award, and to do this they should ioin the union. Its officers will do all in thenpower to assist them, but if any group of workers is absolutely determined pot to improve its conditions, the union cannot force them to do so. Wc would like to convince any such gi'oup that it was wrong, by argument or public debate, out wc arc not conscriptionists."

COMPULSORY UNIONISM. The operation of the compulsory unionism provisions of the Government’s new industrial legislation have been explained by the secretary of the Canterbury Employers’ Association (Mr D. I. Macdonald) . Many inquiries, lie said, were being made about the. effect of these and other provisions of the legislation. The clauses relating to compulsory unionism were that in all future awards the Arbitration Court should include a provision that while the award was in force it should not be lawful for any employer bound by it to employ any adult worker to whom the award related who was not for the time being a member of the union. , , . On July 8 all existing awards and industrial agreements would be deemed to be amended in such a manner as to give effect to this provision. For this purpose. an adult worker was a person over the ace of 18 years. In the past, the Arbitration Court drafted a standard preference clause, which was included with very little alteration, in all awards. It was expected that the court would very shortly draft a new clause to Rive effect to the compulsory unionism brought into being by section 18 of the Industrial Conciliation aud Arbitration Amendment Act just passed. “It should be noted that, irrespective of whether workers are covered by awards or not. thq provisions of the Factories Act and the Shops and Offices Act apply to all workers covered by these Acts,” said Mr Macdonald. “In the case of workers covered bv these Acts, the wages provisions arc;— From July 1, the minimum wage payable shall bo such rate ns is agreed on, being not less than 15s in any one week during the first six months of employment, with half-yearly increments on the agreed-on rate of not less than 4s a week until the end of the year; thereafter not less than £2 a week. " The period of employment in each Act is made retrospective, and the new rates will apply to all workers covered by these Acts, whether they began employment before or after July 1. “Even although some workers are not now covered by an award, and the basic wage does not apply to them, immediately they do come tinder awards the basic wage and compulsory unionism will apply to them.”

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE. The seventy-fifth session of the governing body opened at Geneva last month under the chairmanship of Mr W. A. Riddell (Government, Canada). The first item dealt with was the further improvement of the conditions of the examination of the annual reports submitted by States on the International Labour Conventions which they have ratified. It was unanimously decided that two additional experts from extra-European countries, possessing practical experience on social administration, should be appointed to the Committee of Experts on the application of conventions. Tlie governing body then took up the report on the work of the Labour Conference of the American countries which are members of the International Labour Organisation, held last January at Santiago de Chile. It will be remembered that this conference —the first of its kind since the creation of the International Labour Organisation —was convoked by the governing body of the 1.L.0. on the initiative of the Chilean Government. It was attended by delegations from 19 of 21 countries of the American Continent, and was a complete success. In giving the governing body an account of the results achieved, the director of the International Labour Organisation, Mr Harold Butler, paid tributes to the invaluable assistance given the International Labour Organisation by the Government of Chile. All that was done bv that Government for the conference was inspired by President Arturo Alessandri himself who, both before and during the meetings, showed how much importance he attached to its work and to jts complete success. The director also emphasised the important assistance afforded by Mr Cruchaga lovorual. Minister of Foreign Affairs, of Mr Alejandro Serani, Minister of Labour, and of Mr Garcia Oldini, Minister at Berne. Mr Butler then dwelt on tbc essentially American character of this Santiago conference. It bad shown in particular tiie vital importance for the countries of

America of the problems of immigration, the question of the Indian population and the agricultural question. It had proved that, even in problems of universal interest, it was necessary to lake into account the special points of view of different regions of the world. There had been certain fears, in this connection, that a regional meeting such as that at Santiago would be harmful to the influence of the International Labour Organisation; but, on the contrary, this conference had strengthened the authority of the organisation and had clearly shown how the three Americas would and could collaborate with the work of Geneva. Mr Oersted (employer, Denmark), who was a member of the delegation sent by the governing body to the Santiago Conference, also emphasised the great interest of that conference for the organisation. While regretting that all the countries taking part had not sent complete delegations, ho stated that the importance of such regional meetings was incontestable. The contacts made not only between the countries of America, but also between the representatives of the organisation of Geneva and those of the American countries, aro of great importance. Mr Oersted felt that more and more attention must be paid to the universality of the organisation. Therefore, it was necessary to know labour conditions in ail parts of the world, as they vary from country to country. There were very widely varying conceptions ns to the effect of ratifications of International Labour Conventions. Quite a number of countries had thought fit to ratify a series of conventions when they were not in a position to apply them. Mr Oersted emphasised the possibility of allowing for adaptations and exceptions in conventions adopted at Geneva for extra-European countries. He drew attention, however, to the danger that such measures might have for the equality of conditions of labour in all countries. He added that, in most European countries, social progress was already advanced; but they could not go further, he felt, unless they had some assurance that they would he followed by other Mr Norman (Government, Great Britain) then read to the governing body the impressions of the Santiago Conference of Mr Leggett, British Government representative, who was also a member of the governing body delegation. Mr Leggett also dwelt on the value of the results obtained, aud paid tribute to the great assistance given by the Chilean Government. The Santiago Conference had shown the effective influence of the work of the International Labour Organisation on the progress of social legislation in South America. He expressed the wish that such conferences should be held regularly. The Santiago meeting had also shown the collaboration that might bo expected from the countries of America with the International Labour Organisation. In South America, part of the great world problem was to be seen—-that of countries passing from the production of primary products to a rapid industrial development. the seriousness of the difficulties facing their Governments was evident—a s such countries rely on the production of primary products—and also the success they had achieved in overcoming these difficulties. Mr Leggett concluded that the most important labour problem in the international field was that of raising the standard ot living of millions of workers whose present conditions are very low. Mr Estrada Cajigal (Government Mexico), after affirming the success ot this conference, emphasised the value ot the resolutions adopted on the proposal of his Government concerning social insurance agricultural workers, and problems in connection witii the native population. He hoped that, on these various points, the governing body would l? p able to achieve the favourable results to be expected from them. Mr Kupers (worker. Netherlands), who was a member of the governing body delegation to the conference, in his turn noted its importance. He regretted that all the participating countries had not sent complete delegations, but he had heard with pleasure the confidence which all speakers, of whatever country, bad shown in the International Labour Organisation. With regard to the resolutions adopted, lie recalled the vital importance of that on immigration, and had been glad to see it supported by the Governments of Argentina aud Brazil. He also insisted on the importance of tile resolution on the relations between the countries of Amciica ami the International Labour Organisation, on that recommending the creation in all countries of central organisations to deal with the regulation of labour, and on that relatin'* to the “truck" system. He also recalled that at the last session of the governing body lie had raised the

question of the arrest of Mr Soiis, Chilean workers’ delegate to the conference, and was now glad to learn of his release. He concluded in thanking the Chilean Government for the initiative it had taken in proposing, and its valuable assistance at, this conference, and ho hoped that this example would be followed in the future. Mr Pardo (Government, Argentina) associated himself with previous speakers in praising the Chilean Government and the International Labour Organisation for the perfect success of the conference of Santiago. He dwelt on the importance of the resolutions adopted, particularly on the universally important immigration problem, and on the “ truck ” system. Mr Muniz (Government, Brazil) spoke to the same effect. He was convinced that the International Labour Organisation, because of the great volume of information at its disposal, was particularly indicated for studying the problems ot population. , , , . , Mr Curcin (employer, Jugoslavia), who was also a member of the governing body delegation to Santiago, paid tribute to the charm of Chile and the courtesy of its people and Government. Mr Jouhaux (worker, I'ranee), after expressing his satisfaction at Mr Solis s release, praised the successful results ot the conference, which was a. first and most encouraging attempt at a regional conference. In order that it bear fruit, the governing body should take a decision as soon as possible on the resolutions adopted, and see that they had the most useful results without any delay. Mr Picquenard (Government, France) noted with 1 pleasure the great interest taken by countries of America m the Santiago Conference. The resolutions there adopted were of vital importance because they expressed the view ot a continent; and the International Labour Organisation should pay them the greatest attention. , Mr Demofilo de Buen (Government, Spain) also thanked the Chilean Government and the International Labour Organisation. From the result of the conference he had noted that uniformity in conditions of labour for the whole woilcl could not be completely realised; there were necessarily regional differences m tne application of the essential principle o social justice. Hence the usefulness ot such regional conferences as that at Santiago, which lie hoped would have suo‘eSMr!Garcia Oldini (permanent delegate of Chile to the League of Nations a™ the 1.L.0.). after thanking the piece ng sneakers for their kind words foi Clule, showed the importance of the Santiago Conference. It not only had reached de iiuito results of an immediately practical nature, hut it would influence the future orientation of the International Labour Organisation, as well as the cuieial c rent of world thought Almost everywhere at the present time there jus a feeling of demoralisation, and faith in international institutions . was wavering. Ho felt that perhaps an event like the Santiago Conference would help to create a new atmosphere of understanding and Of reciprocal confidence. Mr Riddell, chairman of the Governing Body in resuming the discussion, renewed the thanks he had already given at the preceding session to the Chilean Government, to the 1.L.0.. and to all those who took part in assuring the success of the Santiago conference. . The Governing Body then unanimously adopted the following resolution, proposed In- Mr Picquenard (Government. France): — The Governing Body takes note with satisfaction of the report on the work of the Labour Conference of American Stales hold at Santiago in 1030: that report shows Ihe deep interest taken In- those countries in the work of the International. Labour Organisation; instructs the director to give effect immediately to those of the resolutions which merely propose that their text should be communicated to the States concerned for information: and. with regard to the other resolutions. requests the director to bring thorn to the attention of the competent committees, and to take them into a_c-i count to the greatest possible extent in any proposals which ho mnv have to make in connection w'th the matters dealt with in the resolutions. The Governing Bodv then discussed a report of its Committee on Agricultural Work in various questions dealing, in particular. with the position of agricultural workers with regard to international social legislation. . On the proposal of this committee, the Governing Bodv asked the T.L.O. to undertake a thorough inquiry into agricultural unemployment in the States members.