THE World of Labour

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 568, 4 December 1915, Page 12

THE World of Labour

TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL HALL. MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK. SATURDAY, December 4—Workers' Educational Association (end of sessions), Social Gathering and Dance, in Social Hall. SUNDAY, December 5. —Christadelphiaus' , Mission, 11 a.m. MONDAY, December 6.—Amalgamated Society of Carpenters' Union. Amalgamated Society, of Engineers, No. 2 Branch. Canterbury Butchers* Union. i Tailoresses and Pressers' Union. TUESDAY, December 7.—General Labourers' Union. Boilermakers' Union. Timber and Coal Yards Employees' Union. . Bricklayers' Union. > Electrical Workers (special summoned meeting). Farriers and Shoesmiths' Union. WEDNESDAY, December 8.-—Furniture Trade Union. THURSDAY, December 9.—lron and Brass Moulders' Union.

• DELAYED WAGES.

A DILATORY DEPARTMENT. The difficulty that is being experienced in filling the 11th Reinforcements is again bringing to the front *the question of conscription. As a section of the community, Labour has an interest in this question, and in general terms is universally opposed to the exercise of compulsion. At the same time I do not think that any measurable section of Labour in the Empire would take up such a position as to say that they would sooner lose the war than resort to conscription. However, it was not to discuss the pros and cons of conscription that I have referred to the question, but rather to make a protest against the inefficiency and dilatoriness of the Defence Department in the matter of pay. A number of working men, married men who have enlisted and arc now at Trcntham, are seriously concerned about the fact that the money allotted to their families do not reach the latter for a very considerable time after it is due. In one or two cases that have come under my notice great hardship is occasioned to the wives and families, and the utmost efforts have failed to induce the department to remedy the grievance. I have seen letters written by soldiers, in which they say, frankly, that had they known that they and their families would be subjected to

A Column for Workers

so much inconvenience and anxiety in the matter of pay they would not have enlisted.

In discussing this- matter I am not dealing with mere hearsay or rumour, but with/ definite facts that have been brought under my notice. There are some fighting spirits among the wives of these soldiers, and their indignation at the treatment to which they have been subjected is such that they are a force operating against recruiting. Rather than trying to stifle all criticism, and hide its misdemeanours, it will be infinitely better for the recruiting efforts of the Defence Department if it will make a statement that it will rectify these grievances, and keep its, word. People are very much concerned about these things, and though they don't figure much in the newspapers—like the .shortage of food in Germany—they are felt, and very much discussed in private. Nothing, therefore, is to be gained by silence, or by dismissing the matter with a haughty wave of the official hand, and the question of conscription will be less insistent if more generous treatment is meted out to soldiers and their dependents.

The War. The Railway Locomotive, and Engine Drivers' Union journal, the "Loco Record," comments in the following terms on the proposed Labour Conference on conscription:— "It has been decided to hold a meeting of trade unions in Wellington in January next, to discuss Labour's position in regard to the war and its requirements. The question of conscription is giving the Government and Labour representatives some concern, and unless some change lakes place conscription is almost sure to be put into force. We think that before the Labour representatives take any action they should do all in their power to see that the voluntary enlisting is given an impetus. Because, how can they advance any arguments against conscription if the voluntary system has failed? If the men are required—and we believe they are urgently required—and they will not voluntarily enlist, well then, they must' be compelled to enlist in their proper turn. Our own opinion is that the

voluntary system will not fail if proper steps arc taken to ensure its success. But it will rest with the objectors to conscription to see that it is a success. It would be impossible for this union to take part in any conference w r hich erects a stone wall against conscription when it is proved to the hilt that the army is starved for want of volunteers. It would really mean that we would be assisting to murder our comrades at the front. We are not going to do [that at any rate. We candidly say [that conscription must be enforced jif bur men fail to enrol. We have in these columns urged our boys to come forward and assist the Empire jin its light for freedom. Many of j cur boys have nobly responded, but there are many more eligible to go, I and they must sign on, and very i quickly, too. There is much to say j against conscription, and yet there {are some good points for it. An arjgument which is much in its favour jis that it would ensure all eligible linen going in their proper turn, and lit would also be a means of getting the shirker to do.his duty. A great j many young men say they will not go until they sec others going. This, i of course, is a poor spirit of patriotism, and the only cure for that is conscription. There is no use haggling oyer the system of maintaining our army or of enlarging it while | the enemy is making victorious on- ! slaughts upon us and our allies. If j men will not come forward and voluntarily offer their service, well, let jus have conscription. We think ! every one of our members would ; (prefer conscription now to defeat by la nation which, if it became the I victor, would not hesitate to apply ! conscription even during a period I of peace."'

Food For Thought. From 1004 to 1918—about 10 years —theunimproved land values of New Zealand increased by £101,234,056, and in the same period the annual land taxes only increased by £293,(545. The total laud taxes for period mentioned amounted to £5,300,334. The wage earners in the same period paid in Custom and Excise duties no less than £30,207,730. According to returns it is shown that for every £1 produced by the worker he produces £3 for his employer. The national income of New Zealand in 1914 was estimated at £01,000,000. One-eighth. of the population (124,422) look £20,750,000, and seveneighths (883,740) took £40,500,000. One hundred and eighteen persons have incomes that exceed £IO,OOO a year, and the average male worker earns £lls a year, and female workers earn £SO each. The private wealth of New Zealand is estimated at £217,019,382, which would work out at £B4B of private wealth for every married

man and woman. But the fact of the matter is they have not got it, and some have not enough to buy a shirt with. The new taxation places 3d in the £ extra on the £30,000 man, lid in the £ on the £70,000 man, and less than 3d in the £ on the £200,000 man. And yet some workers think they have the ideal Government. The taxation proposals of last session—land and income combinedwill only bring in about £600,000 additional revenue; 6738 big landowners will pay £lO per year extra, l which will bring in £67,940 additional revenue. In 1913 the tax on wealth amounted to £1,935,471, while Customs and Excise taxes amounted to £3,553,789. Is there anything wrong with the method of taxation? i

If there is, then why don't you put in politicians who will take the weight off the workers' shoulders arid put it on the other fellow?