LABOR NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2634, 16 October 1909, Page 3 (Supplement)

LABOR NOTES.

(By “Unionist.’’)

Seventy per cent of the cost cf a Dreadnought goes in wages, says Air. AlcKenna, First Lord or tho Admiralty. The employees in tlie biscuit ami confectionery factories of Christchurch are now organised, and have formed a union. The Federal Government is making preliminary investigations in connection with the proposed unemployment scheme. The professional footballers of England have joined themselves into a Players’ Union, and have become affiliated with the Federation or Trades Unions. The United Clerks’ Union of New South Wales lias issued tho first number of ’‘The Clerk,” a bright little paper which ~i.s to appear monthly. The claims and aspirations of the Union aro clearl" explained, and other matters of interest to clerks arc adequately treated. “The Clerk” deserves to prosper. It is published from 27, Post Office Chambers, Sydney, at a penny monthly or an annual subscription of one shilling. The latest addition to the British Labor party is J. S. Hancock, who was returned for Aiid-Derbv last week. He went to work in a coal mine when ten years of age, and was engaged in the same occupation till .'*? reached the age of twenty-four, when he was chosen as check-weigher at the colliery. The latter position he held for ten years, and was then chosen secretary to the Notts Miners’ Association. In 1597 he became financial secretary and miners’ agent, which he still is. The annual Trades and Labor Councils’ Conference will be held during the ■nSek commencing October 25. it is expected that the conference will be held in the Wellington Town Hall. The names of the delegates to date are —Wellington —Alessrs Noot, AlcLaren, Care.v, Cooper, Browne, Young, and Robinson ; Christchurch —Alessrs Hart, Howard, Rusbridge, Whiting, Sullivan, Cooke, Darcy, Pritchard and Barr; Otago—Alessrs Breen, Haynes, Warren and Brown; Auckland —Alessrs Long and Aloxscom; Westland —Air. J. Jackson ; Southland—Alessrs O’Byrne and Alswerler; East Coast—Air J. H. Hall. A conference of delegates from the Stonemasons’ Union in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch was held in the Trades Council’s room in Wellington last week. The business of the conference was to consider the proposed federation of tho industry throughout the Dominion. The delegates ill attendance were: Alessrs H. Chandler and W. Young (Auckland), W. Vcnnall and A. Duncan (Wellington), J. Gibson and tho Hon. J. Barr (Christchurch). The Hon. J. Barr was appointed chairman, with Air. Vcnnall secretary. The Christchurch Union submitted a draft constitution, which, after discussion, was adopted, and the federation became an accomplished fact. The executive for tlie first year was located in Auckland. The next conference was fixed for November, 1910.

.Labor has secured another political victory in West Australia. ivir. W. Frice. editor o T “w.A. Truth,” was nominated for the seat at the last minute by telegram in opposition to the two ministerial aspirants! He was returned by a majority of 06 after the preferential vote was counted. Air. A*rice is au old New South Wales -Labonte. He “did” three years in tho State over the big shearers’ strike. Since he has been resident in W.A., Mr. Price has always been actively engaged in the Labor movement. He was recently- selected by* plebescite to contest the federal electorate of Swan against tho sitting member, Sir John Forrest. The victory places tho present Government in a very precarious position. It can only rely on the bare majority now. The position of parties, writing from memory, is—Government 20, Labor .24. Full particulars have been issued ill connection with the improved land settlements which are to be opened for application at the Lands Office, Auckland on Monday, October 25. Applications are invited from landless married men, but the Land\ Board has power to give preference to retrenched Civil servants and workers who have been dispensed with from the Alain Trunk railway lino and from road works. In Rangitoto No. 1 Settlement, situated about three miles from Hangatiki railway station, about four miles from Otorohanga station, and about six miles from Te Kuiti, there are fifty-two sections, of from 70 acres to 200 acres, to be opened. The capital value ranges from £135 to £450. In Rangitotp No. 2 Settlement, about nine iniles from Otorohanga station, eighteen sections have been opened up. The areas aro from 130 acres to 200 acres, and the capital value from £260 to £535. The Kornkonui Settlement, about seven iniles from Kihikihi, and about six miles from Kawa railway station, offers sixteen sections, of from 140 acres to 200 acres, the capital value ranging from £215 to £320.

At the last meeting of the Southland Sawmill Workers’ Union, the members were called upon to consider a letter sent to one of their members by the inspector of machinery. The latter drew attention to section 14 of tho Inspection of Alachinery Amendment Act, 1008, which provides that (1) no person who has suffered the loss of a hand or a foot shall act as the driver of a locomotive, steam engine, or winding engine ; and (2) every person who acts as the driver of any such engine in breach of the .provisions of the section is liable to a fine not exceeding) £5 for everyday on which he iso acts, and every person who employs him so to act is liable to a fine not exceeding £5 for every day during which such employment continues.” The secretary reported that he had written to the Hon. J. A. Alillar in connection with this matter, pointing out that a great injustice would be done to one of the members of the union. The man concerned had lost a part of a leg 28 years ago. He was one of the most capable drivers and capable men in Southland. The Alinister had been asked to state whether it was intended that the provisions of section 14 of the Act should be retrospective, but so far no reply has been received. The opinion was expressed that the interpretation of the Act as at present taken was hard on an efficient and capable workman with a wife and a family* of five or six children to support. It was coin ted out that the circumstances were different on a railway engine, where the driver was responsible for a number of lives. On a sawmill engine hauling logs (and travelling at only six miles an hour) a man had only himself to kill, and the driver in question had not managed to do that in 28 years. He had gone on the engine at the age of 12* years, and had lost his leg when he was 13f. years old, and had been driving ever since.