WORK AND WAGES

Southland Times, Issue 18965, 13 June 1923, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

NEW MINERS’ ORGANISATION. (Per United Pr'ss Association). GREYMOUTH, June 12. The following is the voting of the West Coast Miners, excepting the Ngakawau Union, which is unlikely to alter the result on the Reefton Conference proposals, recommending the formation of district organisations for Westland, Southland and tKe North Island and that a council of action -be its controlling body in each district with a national body of two representatives from each district: —For the proposals 539, against 339. Majority for 200. The Millerton Union gave 159 majority for and the Blackball and Rba 103 majority for, while State miners gave a majority of 62 against. WAGES COURT DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL. WASHINGTON, June 11. The Supreme Court unanimously declared unconstitutional the Kansas industrial court law which essayed to prevent strikes by requiring employers and employees in industries affected with the public interest to submit disputes to the court for compulsory arbitration. “Thus the industrial court virtually dictated prices of necessaries as well as wages strike,” the judgment added. “The opinion stated by the industrial court insofar as it permits the fixing of wages is in conflict with the Fourteenth Amendment and illegally deprives the plaintiff of property and liberty of contract.” Mr Gompers and Labour leaders generally have been the bitterest opponents of the industrial court throughout its three years' existence.