WORLD OF LABOUR

Southland Times, Issue 17599, 11 March 1914, Page 6

WORLD OF LABOUR

AUCKLAND DRIVERS' CASL ■ (Per United Press Association). f AUCKLAND, Alarch 10. 'A most important stop tvith regard to their-future organisation was taken last night by the members of the Auckland Drivers' and Carters' Union. It ■will be remembered that this union was jxractieally the only "industrial” union; that is a union registered under the Imtustrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. which in Auckland decided lt> affiliate with the United Federation of Labour. With tlie trade union of ‘Waterside Workers (registered under the •'Trades' Union Act) it formed the nucleus of what was to be a transport section of the United Federation.yLast night at a general meeting of carters, there being about one hundred and fifty in attendance the question of secession from the United Federation was brougtit up. A ballot had been taken on the same Question a week or so ago but it was never declared, the grounds given being that it had been ruled to be illegal. A ballot was therefore taken of those present at last night's meeting, with the result that by a three to one majority it ■was decided to secede from the United Tederation of Labour. TRAMWAY MEN'S DISPUTE. BRUSH WITH THE COMMISSIONER. r WELLINGTON, March 10. The t ramwaymen’s dispute came before Air Halley, Conciliation Commissioner, to-day. Air Morton, City Engineer. asked for an adjournment for a fortnight as the City Council had only received the documents in the case on the 7th inst. and had not had time to -draw up counter proposals. Mr Root secretary of the Union, said that the matter had been under discussion for four or five months and the Council had already made proposals to the men. Air Morton replied that these had been rejected by the men. He could not go on at present. Air Root objected to indefinite postponement. The Commissioner said that he could see nothing for it but to adjourn, and asked Air Alonon if he could be ready liv the IhJth inst. Air A!orton said that be could consider It. Air Root, to tiie Commissioner —I may be wrong but it appears to me that you are studying the employers' interests more than the Union's. The Commissioner —You are absolutely wrong. Air Root —Well, that is how it appears to me, Tlie Commissioner —Yon are the first man to make that statement in this room. Your remar!: is quite uncalled for. Air Root —Well, that is how it appears to me. Tlie Commissioner —You must have a ■very dim intelligence if it appears to yon that way. Finally the matter was adjourned till the not*, inst.. Air Alorton undertaking to notify the Commissioner if ho should be to go on before that date. • CHAFFCU'TTERS VIOLENT. NON-UNIONISTS INJURED. SYDNEY. Alarch 10. . Received Alarch 10. 9.40 p.m. A gang of striking chaffcutters at Cnolnmon raided and destroyed the sleeping non-unionists' tents, brutally 111-treating the men, three of whom were badly injured. FIREMEN'S DEMANDS. INCIDENT OF A VOYAGE. fl ' AUCKLAND. Alarch 10. ' report brought hy the Navua, which arrived from the Eastern Pacific this morning, is to the effect that when at Suva on Alarch T>. the firemen waited up«xn The captain and demanded the payment of their wages at once. Tlie men made the demand under a section of their agreement with the Union Company. The captain considered, however, that tlie agreement did not entitle the men to make such a demand and gave them ten minutes to decide whether or not they would peacefully accept tho>r wages on the following day. The men etventually agreed to take the course suggested. and it then appeared that no further trouble would arise. When the Navua had left Suva for Auckland on the following day, however, the whole seventeen firemen gave notice that they would leave the .vessel when it arrived at Auckland. Accordingly when the Navua was berthed ut the northern wharf this morning the firemen left the ship in a body. The Union Co. at once set about procuring other men to take the place of those leaving and the steamer was able to sail for Wellington this evening at S.SO with a full compliment of firemen. .SIDNEY IRONWORKERS RESUME. '' SYDNEY. Alarch 10. Received Alarch 11, X a.m. The ironworkers’ ballot favoured the resumption of work and a start will be made on Thursday. The masters laid \ down a return to work as a condition hold a conference. IRONWORKERS’ BALLOT. SYDNEY, Alarch 10. •Tiie resnlt of tlie ballot taken at yesterday’s meeting of ironworkers is not available/ The figures will be announced at a special meeting to be held toaiight. .ECHO OF NEW ZEALAND STRIKE. SYDNEY. Alarch 10. Tiie Labour Federation is considering a. proposal to form a Grand Council of all the unions which acted in concert during the New Zealand strike, which, if. carried out, will mean tiie affiliation <.f the waterside workers, seamen, marine engineers, and raUwaymen.