LABOUR OFFER.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 12 August 1920, Page 3

LABOUR OFFER.

MR SEMPLE'S SCHEME

A great and welcome change in the attitude of Labour has taken place in Wellington. Industrial unrest, strikes, and "goslow" policies seem to have had their day, in Wellington, at least, and the setting in of a new era appears probable. This view is impelled by reason of an excellent proposal submitted to and accepted by the Wellington City Council. The proposal emanates from Mr Robert Semple, the stormy petrel of labour, but in respect to the present enterprise a harbinger of peace. Particulars published in the Mercantile Gazette shows that Wellington is in need of an increased water supply, and to secure this it is necessary to construct a tunnel. This work must be done by more or less skilled men, and Mr Semple undertakes to form a co-operative body of workers to carry through the work at a price to be agreed upon by the workers and city engineers. Instead ofthe contractor's deposit, the tunnellers are to deposit a fidelity bond of £500 to be forfeited if the progress of the work is interrupted in any way through any dispute which may arise between the officers and members of the corporation. The City Council is to retain a percentage of the workers' earnings until the work is completed, and over and above that the party itself retains 10 per cent, of each member's earnings. The cooperative party is to be under strict discipline. The party will elect its own agent or business manager, also its working manager and shift bosses, who must be obeyed. There are rules for suspending and dismissing members, provision for absence through sickness or other unavoidable cause, and "under no circumstances shall gambling or drink be permitted in or about the camp." The scheme is a good one. and is evoking the heartiest goodwill towards the promoters, the view being taken that industrial unrest will be swayed by its influence. It is not very often that so constructive a proposal is put forward by a Labour leader, and if Mr Semple carries it through, and Wellington thinks he can, he will have done the community and the workers a great service. If the scheme is successful it is sure to have far reaching and beneficial effects.