LABOR NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2598, 4 September 1909, Page 7

LABOR NOTES.

(By “Unionist.”) Arrangements have been made by the Dunedin Trades and Labor Council for Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.P. to deliver an address at the Harrison Hall, on September Bth. Mr. W. Scott, of Dunedin, will in all probability succeed the late Mr. S. Brown as employers’ representative on. the Arbitration Court. The Auckland Unionist Co-oper-ative Society, now being, initiated by the Auckland- Waterside Workers’ Union, supported by other Auckland unions, will soon be in active operation. The provisional committee that has had the question in hand is about to retire in favor of a permanent dommittee, or directorate. An interchange of membership has been arranged between the Wellington Waterside Workers Union and the Australian Federated Seamen’s Union.

In accordance with this members of the Seamen’s Union wishing to work on the wharves can become members of the Waterside Workers’ Union by obtaining a transfer ticket from the secretary of the Seamen’s Union. The same also applies to members of the Waterside Workers’ Union wishing to go to sea. After the end of the month all unionists in the principal towns of Australia will be required to ask when shopping to be served only by shop assistants wearing the badge of the Shop Assistants Union. This is the method to be adopted in procuring preference to unionists. In answer to an inquiry, one of theexecutive pointed out thht the employees were trying to do the thing peaceably, and the only people who had a quavrfel wuth them were the shop--keepers who would ■ not countenance the union under any conditions. The employees, as a body, had no fear of the success of the movement, and were satisfied that before long it would be recognised in every shop in Australia. At any rate they intend to fight until the end is accomplished. Mr. P. F. D‘Arcy, secretary of the Canterbury Trades and- Labor Council, is on his way to Australia for a short holiday, prior to taking up the organising secretaryship of the New Zealand Shearers’ Federation. He will work the Gisborne district first, where the shearing is expected to start next month; and will then work the sheds right down through Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington, and on to Marlborough, Canterbury, and Otago. The "Queensland Worker” sums up the usefulness of the worker and the period of his trial in these words:—"lt is known that a. pullet is hatched with all the eggs she will ever lay, and an authority states that she could be forced to deposit all of them in two years, thus enormously enhancing her value and converting herself into good chicken meat with no potential waste at the end of that time. How like the human laborer, out' of whom, it is coming to be believed that all available profit can be squeezed before he is forty.” A report from the Registrar of Industrial Unions on the working of the Industrial Disputes Act in New South Wales was presented to the House of Assembly recently. The report stated that the Act was growing in usefulness and favor throughout the State. There wore 74, unions registered under it at the time of the report. Wages Boards had been set up, and had delivered awards' in 45 industries. In 28 other trades Wages Boards were then engaged in fixing industrial conditions. A congress of representatives of twenty-two South Australian trade unions was held in Adelaide recently, for the purpose of federating all the organisations. Proceedings lasted two days. It was decided to form an organisation to be called "The Workers’ Federation of South Australia.” The following were adopted as the objective of the federation: —(1) Complete industrial organisations for the purpose of the effective handling of labor disputes, tbe support of the worker and his dependants during such dispute, and to establish a fund to carry out this objective; (2) abolition of capitalism ; (3) nationalisation of the land; (4) nationalisation of all industries. The New South Wales Government proposes to find work for the unemployed (on the piecework principle of paymen) by clearing and levelling a quantity of Crown Land nesur Kensington. They have also granted £2,000 to the Broken Hill Municipal Gouncil to carry out relief works for the unemployed. In -consequence of scarcity of employment in Adelaide there is much disThe New York Senate have decided, by thirty-eight votes to _ three, that women teachers shall receive the same pay as men when they do the same work. In reference to the "preference to unionists” clause in the awards of the Court of Arbitration and industrial agreemeats, the chief inspector of the Labor Department has.sent the following circular to all the unions:—"lt has been brought under my notice that difficulty is sometimes experienced by employers in complying with the preference clauses in awards and agreements, owing to the fact that members of the unions have no card or certificate to indicate they are members, and in consequence abuse is likely to occur which would be detrimental to the unions concerned. On tire' %>t>her hand, without some such certificate, a nonunionist may secure employment by stating he is a member,' and an employer is able, if lie chooses, to employ a non-unionist, and afterwards assert, that he was informed the man was a member of the union. Of course, an examination of the employment book would obviate the difficulty on such occasions, but it is not necessary for an employer to consult, members of the union when they are available. I believe that some unions have already instituted a system by which cards or badges are given to all their members for presentation to employers when being engaged, so that employers can have no doubt on the subject. If you have not sUch a system in use in connection with your union, I would recommend the matter for your consideration.” The Federal Arbitration Court, m the dispute between the Federated Engine-drivers’ Association and the employers concerned, -has made an award, fixing the wages of engine-drivers at Is 3d per hour, and of firemen at Is o|d per hour. A maximum of 48 hours’ work weekly is also provided.