The Industrial World

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20277, 11 April 1934, Page 4

The Industrial World

CONDUCTED BY

OBSERVER

This column is devoted to the news of the industrial Labour movement as represented by the secretaries of the various unions whose headquarters are at the Trades Hall. MEETINGS FOR COMING WEEK. Canterbury Carpenters’ Union—Tonight, 7.30. Grocers’ Assistants’ Union (Executive) —To-night, 8. The Printing and Related Trades Union—Saturday, 8. The Visit of Mr Bernard Shaw. There is no doubt that the presence amongst us of Mr Bernard Shaw has stimulated a great interest in social and political problems. For nearly half a century he has been propagating the principles of Socialism, and now, in the evening of his life, his ideas of economic organisation remain as powerful and fresh as when he first joined the Fabian Society. The working class movements, the Labour and the trade union organisations should feel heartened in their fight for a better distribution of the nation’s wealth in the fact that they are supported in their policy by such an intellectual genius as Mr Bernard Shaw. Economic Dictators. In his speech at the civic reception on Monday afternoon he stressed the fact that there is no freedom while the financial experts and captains of industry wield their economic power both in their own establishments and through Parliaments. They are the real dictators without responsibilities. Now everyone knows that a similar statement has been made for years by trade unionists when giving evidence before the Arbitration Court, and by the members of the Labour Party in their propaganda tours up and down the country. When this statement is believed and acted upon by the citizens then will arrive the dawn of a new day, when democratic principles will be extended from political organisation into economic organisation The Success of a Labour Mayor. The fact that the citizens of Christ-

church were privileged to see and hear this world-renowned person, Mr Bernard Shaw, is due to the tactfulness of our Labour Mayor, Mr D. G. Suilivan, M.P. The workers feel an especial pride in the fact that Christchurch was privileged in extending a worthy welcome to Mr Shaw, and that this welcome was brought about by a Labour man. When Christchurch elected its first Labour Mayor there was a feeling that a Labour man would not have the dignity to fill that office with credit to the city. But the experiences of Mr J. K. Archer as Mayor dispelled that criticism, and now our present Mayor has done something which has brought great honour and pride to this city. All this should encourage the workers to develop a greater faith and trust in their selected leaders. An Attempt for New Awards. The members of the Trade Union Movement in Christchurch should also feel flattered by the invitation received by Mr J. Roberts, the secretary of the Clothing Workers’ Union, to proceed to Auckland, in connection with the award for clothing workers. At present there is no award in the clothing industry in the northern city. The idea now is to extend the Canterbury award and to make it the basis of a Dominion award. Mr Roberts will also assist, while in Auckland, to obtain an award for the “ shirt and silk workers.” There is an award already in existence in Otago for this industry, and this award will be used in the present dispute. Is the Arbitration Court Doomed? Although some of the craft unions feel it necessary to seek the assistance of the Arbitration Court in maintaining or improving the conditions of their members, there is a growing sentiment amongst the stronger unions that the Arbitration Court has fulfilled its functions in industrial disputes and that now it should be discarded. This new sentiment can be attributed to the success achieved by the Alliance of Labour in securing industrial agreements for various unions. When a measure of prosperity returns to the country there is no doubt that most unions will affiliate to the Alliance of Labour and thereby become independent of the Arbitration Court.