CURRENT COMMENTS.

Industrial Unionist, Volume 1, Issue 5, 1 June 1913, Page 4

CURRENT COMMENTS.

The Auckland Boarding-house Keepers’ Association have decided that, from June 1, 1913, the charge for “ casuals” shall go up a shilling a day, and, for “ permanents” half-a-erown per week. When the Exhibition is opened on December Ist there will be a further increase of 2s. per day for the “ casual” and a corresponding one for the “permanent.” The restaurantkeepers are considering increases also. # The cost of the workers’ living is to go up, which is the same as though their wages were going down. Arbitration unions have no remedy; they are bound by a time agreement. Others have their remedy in the strike, provided they are organised on the right lines, and not afraid of forcing the issue. * % Apropos the recent strike at the Darling Harbour Yards* (N.S.W.), a number of the strikers were fined in the Industrial Court. Justice Heydon condemned the action of the men in that they chose an exceptionally busy time, when perishable goods were in danger. How much better to have given six months’ notice !) Many strikes, said the learned one* display the character of reckless malice, as if there were a grudge against society, and a desire to injure it as much as possible.

Alas ! Better wages —reckless malice . Shorter hours grudge against Society.

The men were fined, as were the railway workers in the big N.E. strike at Home, but the Press has failed to, report that the latter never paid their fines, the Government, fearing further hostilities, having been obliged to grant free pardon.