INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 796, 20 April 1910, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.

-*— TOWN AND COTJNTEY. STATEMENT BY MB. TREQEAE. (By Tdreraph.—SnedaJ Oorreroonaent.l Auckland, April .19. A highly-important question of principle, which, is of the greatest moment to those interested in industrial matters generally and trades unionism in particular, was referred to by Mr. E. Tregear (Under-Secretary for Labour) during the course of an interview with a "Star 8 representative prior to his departure from Auckland to Wellington. 'The quesone which is now agitating the minds of many oircles, and relates to the proposal to extend industrial districts under, the Arbitration' Act. '•;■'.' !' "Both 'employers, and' unionists in Hawke's Bay are applying; that Hawke's Bay be made a separate industrial district from Wellington, and a farreaching controversy has arisen in consequence,' said Mi. Tregear. "The Government, through the Labour Department, has issued circulars to all industrial unions asking them to give their opinion on this point. Until replies are received nb definite pronouncement can be made. It is evident to all, of course, that a great principle is involved. The employers and a great many of. the industrial union of workers in Hawke's Bay not affiliated with tho Trades and Labour Council wish for independence, and theunionswhich are affiliated with the Wellington Trades and Labour Council grumble and say they do not perceive the good which results from being connected with Wellington, as they send their money away and only get onethird back again without any practical, results that they can see. The general plea for division of the Hawke's Bay district from Wellington as an industrial district is that it is pastoral country, and its interests are "not understood by the governing body This is widened by the belief that it would be better also to get the Gisborne district cut off from Auckland, and united with Hawke's Bay, thus making one industrial district along the East Coast, embracing Hawke's' Bay and Poverty Bay. These districts are both mainly devoted to the sheep-growing industry, and' thus possess identical interests.

"On the other hand," continued the Under-Secretary, ''the Trades and Labour Councils and thousands of men affiliated with them are strongly opposed to the movement. They contend that it' is an effort being made to reduce the country districts, in pay. and conditions below those for which the.men in the towns, have fought for years and gained. Furthermore, those who oppose the movement urge that the country districts will be used as a means, of bringing down town rates also, by quoting them as having parallel conditions. Moreover, the great effort of labour as a whole has been to make more general the awards htiherto confined to different industrial districts, so that if possible, instead of having different conditions as to wages, hours ot labour, eto., obtaining in different industrial districts, there should be, if possible, one colonial award covering all industrial districts, thus tending to solidarity of labour throughout the Dominion.

"To those interested in industrial matters," said Mr. Tregear, "it will, therefore, be seen what a large problem there is involved, and the policy to be adopted by the Minister for Labour in regard to the settlement of the question, or of amendments to the Conciliation and Arbitration Act for tha purpose wTTi be watched with the greatest interest throughout the Dominion."