LABOUR COMBINES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1642, 8 January 1913, Page 7

LABOUR COMBINES.

AMBITIOUS BRITISH SCHEME. By Telegraph-Prtes Assoclatlon-Oopyrleht, (Rec. January 7, 10.15 p.m.) , • London, January 7. Representatives of tho Trade Union Congress, the Co-operative Union,' and tho Labour party aro to meet early in February to consider the feasibility of an allianco embracing the whole Labour movement of the United Kingdom. The total membership of such a combinationwould be four million. The proposals include the investment of trade union funds in the co-operative , movement, and the Co-operative Union's , financial assistance to unions during , strikes. PLAN FOR BIG AUSTRALIAN UNION. Sydney, January 7. A'conference representing a hundred thousand workers has opened. It is to consider haw to give effect to tho recent amalgamation of tho Australian Workers' Union with other country unions. Tho conference will, also consider a proposal to widen tho scope of the new body to- include not only any person engaged in pastoral work, but also in sugargrowing, the meat trade, road mending, and a 1 number of other kindß, of general .labour.' .. A MAMMOTH BODY. ' Now that the ballot on the question of the proposed amalgamation of the Australian Workers' Union—the largest organisation of labour in the Commonwealth—and a number of other country unions, has been carried by a very substantial majority, it is proposed (says the Sydney "Herald" of December 30) to place before the '.'amalgamation, conference" to bo ' opened in Sydney oh Monday next resolutions of a far-reaching character. ...■'■'; The whole scope of the A.W.U. will be changed. Instead of dealing with "any person engaged in pastoral work," the scheme proposes to take in any bonafide worker engaged in'any of the following industries or callings:—Pastoral, aghorticultural, viticultural, fruit-growing, 6Ugar-growing, enno-cutting, milling and refining, rabbit-trapping, carrying, meat preserving and meat trado generally, road-making, and all kinds of general labour. A definition of "bona fido" states that it means "any male or female employed at manual, or mental labour." But the term does not include the actual employer of more than two. persons. By the authority of the "convention" (which is,to. take the place of the word "conference") ■ branches may."be established, which shall have control of ! tho industrial sections and district oom- v mittoes within their boundaries. The boundaries of branches are to bo defined by the convention/Any number of industrial, sections ■ may-, bo constituted', a branch. Branches may bo grouped in such manner as the convention-may decide. On demand of any two' branches of a gronp, it is to be-provided that the executive shall permit of a.group conference being held 'at such, time and place as the. Executive Council may decide. • It is proposed that the group conference shall be constituted as follows:— ' .. "The president and general secretary of tho union delegates elected 'by tho branches forming the group. Each branch shall, be entitled to two delegates for any number of members up to one thousand, and as additional for every fnrthcr'o'ne thousand members . .or , part thereof,' but ho branch shall-be entitled to more than four delegates. Not moro than one fully-paid official • from each branch shall- be eligible to act as .delegate. 'Delegates shall be paid by their resneotiyo branches' such sum as fares and allowances as may ho fixed by tho convention.- ,;; ■_■'. "'•''■ "Group conferences shall have power to deal with all- mattersof local concern' to tho' members of their branches,' but shall ,ribt havo power to— '■■■ ', . "(a) Make, amend, or Tescind any of the .rules of the,union; or (b) decide,upon any ' iino of. policy ; or matter. contrarv tq'jtlio .decisions, of : the convention or Executive Council.".' 1 .■.";.'.' ."■ '.'','.'