PREFERENCE TO UNIONISES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 32

PREFERENCE TO UNIONISES.

WAGES BOARDS. In reference to the Trades and Labour deputation which waited on the Minister of Labour at Wellington last week, Mr R. Bioen, secretary of the Otago Trades and Labour Council, stated to a Times reporter on the 24th that what was placed before the Minister represented the views held by the Wellington Council, and did not necessarily express the opinion of the whole of the Trades Councils of the colony, as unless authority to do so is given by the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, which is the conference executive for this year, the AVellington Council could not commit the conference to anything but the resolutions passed by that body. "At the same time," said Mr Breen, " I have not the slightest doubt but that in dealing with many of the questions Mr A. H. Cooper expi'essed the opinion of the majority of the labour bodies of the colony." Referring to preference to unionists, Mr Breen said the tendency of the court had been in the direction of opening the door of the union still wider. During Mr Justice Martin's term ac px--esident of the court one of the conditions of preference was that unions should accept any pereon upon his written application, endorsed by two members of a union. Mr Justice Cooper, however, amended that by* striking out the words "endorsed by two members of the ur-ion," and made it necessary that unions sfiould receive a person on his own written application. According- to Mr A. H. Cooper, further restrictions have been introduced, and now it is also necessary that the unionist must be known, to the employer, otherwise he is not compelled to employ him in preference to the nonunioni&t. The non-unionist xnay be a complete stranger to the employer; but that is immaterial. The whole thing hinges on whether the unionist is known to the emplc\er, and if he is not then the employer is not obliged to give him preference of employment even although he may make . personal application. | Speaking in regard to the proposed introduction of Wage 3 Boards, Mr Breen ex- . pressed the opinion that he would prefer to soo the Conciliation. Boards retained, with \ greater powera given to them than heretofore. He considered that the Conciliation • Boards had never had a fair trial, and if ' they were given the same powers that it I :

is proposed to give to the Wages Boards they would be capable of settling disputes equally as well. The Trades and Labour Conferences have for many years been asking for these powers, but instead, cf giving effect to the wishes of the conference it is proposed now to abolish the Conciliation Boards and substitute Wages Boards. " However," said Mr Breen, " the question of Wages Boards is simply in the air at present, and until the proposal is brought before Parliament it would be impossible to express any opinion further than in the diiection already indicated. When the proposal is circulated it will be referred to the various Trades Councils, when every consideration will be given to it."