WORK & WAGES.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 16 December 1926, Page 6

WORK & WAGES.

(Per Press Association —Copyright). LONDON, December 14. The National Union of Seamen s ballot lejected political affiliations by 986 to 2382. Mr Havelock Wilson explaining the decision, says the Union is now entirely non-political and is completely severed from the Labour Party. It is pointed out that members of the union henceforth pay no political levy. LONDON, December 14. The “Daily News” says the Seamen’s decision is the logical outcome of the policy Mr Havelock Wilson has advocated with increasing zeal for many yeans. He has opposed affilian with both the Labour Party and Trade Unions with more extreme tendencies. SYDNEY, December 15. Mr Piddington (Industrial Commissioner) to-day issued his basic wage finding. This leaves the basic wage for adult males unaltered at £4 4s, out with a recommendation that a family endowment scheme be formulated. The female wage announcement was deferred. SYDNEY, Dec. 15. Labour circles are greatly disappointed at the declaration of the basic wage. A meeting of Union secretaries is being convened to discuss the position. SYDNEY, December 15. The 1 ndustrial Commissioner fixed the standard of living for a family of five at £5 6s weekly. In suggesting a family’ endowment he said a living wage without it was futile. As the matter can only be dealt with fully by’ the Federal Parliament, the State Administration should, whether in conjunction or not with other State Governments, request the Commonwealth Administration to pass the necessary law. If this were done, the State scheme might be absorbed in the Comonwealth scheme. If an endowment fund were derived from a percentage of 5 or 6 per cent on each employers’ wages bill, collected by the Treasury’ and distributed to mothers, it would be a matter of indifference to the employers whether their employees were married or not. Workers with dependents, equivalent to children; should be considered as having children to support. LONDON, December 14. The extremists hoped to increase their representation on the Executive of the Labour Parliamentary Party, but as the result of the ballot, among thirty nominations for twelve seats. Messrs Arthur Henderson and Tom Johnston replace Messrs Tom Shaw and stephen Walsh The latter did not seek re-election, and the other ten members were re-elected. The Executive remains overwhelmingly moderate.