LABOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13677, 20 August 1908, Page 6

LABOUR

THE SOCIALISTIC PARTY. Per Pres3 Association. AUCKLAND, August 19. In submitting its annual report to the Employers' Association meeting this afternoon the- executive committee stated that the agressive attitude of the extrcmo socialistic labour party was becoming so pronounced as to demand the most careful attention of all tliinking people and the time had now ai rived when the employers' federation must seriously consider ways and means of checking the growth of this if the best interests of the inhabitants of the Dominion as a whole were to be considered.

EFFECT OF STRIKES. AUCKLAND, August. 19. In the course of a report presented to the Auckland Provincial Employers' Association this afternoon, the executive committee drew special attention to the deplorable and utter disregard of law and order which had been so much in evidence of late amongst several sections of workers throughout the Dominion. No less than 18 strikes' Lad. taken place in ,: many months. These strikes >and actions proved beyond all doubt that the Arbitration Act in its present form could neither prevent strikes nor effectually deal with law-breakers, who left their -employers in the lurch at a- moment's notice. In speaking on the subject, Mr Goldring said that there was evident laxness on t the part of the Government to offend those who would carry the largest voting power at elections. Organised labour, Tinder the leadership of professional agitators, was doing its best to ruin our industries. The employers must become an agressive force or else one by one their rights would be niched away and that spirit of enterprise and earnest enthusiasm which tended to make a country great and glorious, would Lave departed from their midst.

ON RAILWAY WORK. CHRISTCHURCH, August 19. Twenty-four men were despatched yesterday to the railway works at Broken River, and eight more will follow to-mor-row. The labour market is again normal, with every prospect of a strong demand for farm and unskilled labour dur* ing the nest few weeks if the weather holds fair, as there are now nearly 300 men at work at Broken River. The fine weather has done much to ameliorate the discomforts of the new camp, and the ■men are contented.

HOSPITAL BOILERS. WORKERS AND NO-LICENSE. DUNEDIN, August 19. At the meeting of the Hospital Trustees to-day, it was stated that the finance committee had considered a. letter from the secretary of the Engine-drivers' Union which stated that the boiler at the institution must be in charge of a certificated engineer. The chairman (Mr Solomon) pointed out that the hospital engine must be worked 24 hours even- day, and an engineer -under the award must work only eight hours: therefore they would have to employ three engineers, beside* which they were liable for about £l6o' back wages. It was decided to pay back wages and conform to the award.

The Dunedin Branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, the largest union affiliated to . the Otago Trades and Labour Council, has decided to endonse the resolution passed at the Trades and Labour Conference, urging workers to vote no license, with a view of placing the trade nnder the control of the State, understanding that this would occur only if no license proved -a failure.

THE ARBITRATION 'COURT. DUNEDIN, August 19." The Arbitration Court heard the Allan-dale-coal miners' dispute to-day, the principal questions involved being deficient places, wet .places and height of boids. The Court has now concluded the sittings here and leaves for Wellington on Saturday.