THE World of Labour

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 826, 3 October 1916, Page 3

THE World of Labour

ENLIGHTENING FIGURES

UNIONIST EN LISTMENTS. The conscription issue in Australia lias given rise to an investigation of the number of Australian unionists who have enlisted, and figures are quoted that, to the man who for various reasons has hitherto held the belief that unionists are antagonistic to enlistment, are something of an cye-openc" Ten to Thirty Per Cent. The union secretaries, says an exchange, give enlistment figures, all of them on a conservative basis, showing that Australian unions, generally, have risen to the occasion. The percentage of enlistments ranges variously from 10 to 30; but it has to be remembered that in many cases men have been debarred from enlisting simply because to permit them to do so would be to impairthecarrying on of necessary industries for war purposes. Take, for instance, the Federated Seamen's Union. This body shows a total of 3000 enlistments out of 11,000 members. But when 3000 had gone lo the front the union represented to the Minister of Defence that the eagerness of its men to enlist would mean the impoverishment of the transport services to a point that would be fatal. Senator Pearce (Minister of Defence) concurred. Transports and war supplies have to be handled. And so the enlistment of members of this union automatically ceased; otherwise, as the secretary said, "the whole lot of them would have gone." These men in their ordinary avocation are, it is pointed out, even in a worse position than the soldier on land—armed, protected as far as is possible, and with artillery blazing a trail for him. They go down to the sea in ships, that's all. They know nothing of arms, and they risk the hidden clangers that the new warfare has revealed without means of protection. That the enlistments are not confined to the rank and tile was proved by investigation. One secretary— Mr Furze, of the Meat Workers' Union—declared: "I am losing all my officers. They are all going off to the war." That was not an uneom- * mon condition of affairs. How many unionists; have enlisted it is impossible to say. There arc over 120 affiliated unions, affiliated to what is known as the Federation of Labour, a New South Wales organisation, and with many of them it is practically impossible to get in touch, but the averages that may be deduced from the figures procurable may be reasonably applied all round. In some of the smaller unions it is much higher than in bigger bodies, whose members come under the heading of war workers. Starting with the Wharf Labourers' Union, it was found that 1500 had taken up arms, including the president, Mr McCrystal, who has returned to the front. Twelve per cent, of the coal lumpers have joined the colours, the figures being 200 out of a membership of 1050, while many others are necessarily engaged in coaling transports. A membership of over 17,000 is possessed by the Railway Workers and General Labourers' Association, and of these between 7000 and 8000 are on service. Of 30 delegates at the last conference no fewer than 10 are now in camp or at the front.

30,000 Out of 80,000. The Australian Workers' Union up to last May had a record of 30,000 enlistments, the membership totalling about 80,0110. In their case,

A Column for Workers

Conducted by D. G. SULLIVAN

however, it is pointed out thai they are a floating industrial factor, and that some of them may be included under other heads. Two hundred musicians—2o per cent, of the total —are delighting in the rat tat of the machine gun or the bass of cannon; while of the theatrical employees 17ft are playing the bigger part. Railways and tramways have responded in a larger measure, perhaps, than any other public service to the call for men. Of the Amalgamated Bailway and Tramway Association members 800 railway and 210 tram men are on service; while the Tramway Employees' Union has contributed 700. In the Federated Clerks' Union the record shows that 50 have enlisted in New South Wales, 230 in Victoria, 30 in Queensland, and from 00 to 80 in West Australia and South Australia.

A service that is particularly af-, fected by the necessity of men re-' maining in their present avocations is that in which members of the | Master and Engineers' Association is engaged. About 32 are at the front, J while 13 are in camp. These numbers include several executive offi-i cers. Many of the men are employ- j ed in the transport service. The same: observation applies to the Federated Seamen's Union, of whose Commonwealth membership 3000, out of 11,000, have enlisted. Approximately, 10 per cent, of the Federated Ironworkers have gone, 400 to 500 out of 4300 having gone to j hurl metal at the enemy. Here, again, many men are kept from fol : lowing their inclination to enlist by the necessity for their engaging in munition works. But good as that record is, that of the brickmakers, and brick carters, who, of course, j are not subject to the same war calls , that prevent service abroad, is fine. J This body has, out of a membership of 2000, lost 478; while the shop employees go one better in having supplied 900 out of 3700, 2500 of whom are regarded as effectives.

Hotel Workers and Engine-Drivers^

Many women are members of Ihe Hotel and Restaurant Employees' Union, and it is not possible to set out the proportions of men and women. But of the men 100 have enlisted, the total membership, including women, being 2208. Sawmillers and timber yard employees have sent, roughly. 30 per cent, of their membership to the task of building trenches —750 out of 2500. Nineteen of them have been already reported killed in action. Even the Miscellaneous Workers' Union, a body that comprises for the most part watchmen and caretakers and men such as they over the military age, has contributed between 70 and 80 out of 1000. The average percentage is well maintained by the Furniture Trades' Union, which has sent about 280 out of 2200 men, while the United Labourers' Protective Society has between 800 and 900 out of 8000 in action or in training. "Every day," said their secretary, "the list increases. Men whom one would think unlikely to enlist turn up trumps. Norman Eisk and Reg. Kane, two of our original accountants, have been killed in action." Some striking figures were given by the secretary of the Federated Engine Drivers' and Firemen's Union. Several months ago, since when it has been impossible to keep track of all enlistments, COO men out of 3500 on the roll had gone to the Empire's aid, and the secretary declared that of members who could go fully 90 per cent, had done so. "Take," he said, "Cessnock. That centre had sent 33 per cent, of its original members six months ago. That would practically mean all Ihe young men

available. Even here in the big city power-house, 20 per cent, of our men have enlisted." Canterbury Labourers' Union. Congratulations to the Canterbury General Labourers' Union and its secretary, Mr Howard, on the remarkable award just secured at Tiniaru, whereby general labourers are to receive 1/4* per hour. Coming on top of the court's award of 1/4* for painters, this achievement shows up wonderfully well, and must set a new standard for labourers' wages throughout the country. Mr Howard has every reason to be well pleased with himself on the results of his work.