To Dominion Bootmakers.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 32, 13 October 1911, Page 18

To Dominion Bootmakers.

By ST. CRISPBM.

Observing the world-wide industrial unrest which is in existence at the present juncture, much food for thought is being formulated by the ludicrous attempts to create peace between the employer and the employee, various countries adopting different methods to achieve that aim.

With such a clear-cut* well-defined policy as is being propagandered by the New Zealand Federation of Labor the Compulsory Arbitration Act of this Dominion is approaching the eve of a severe, critical test. The principle of the Act. itself has caused a reaction, and the majority, of thinking workers are realising that no court presided over by One of their opponent class will ever grant the workers their just demands—namely, the full product of their labor. Compulsory arbitration is an admittance for the continuance of the capitalistic sj'stem. It in no way tends to abolish such. New Zealand bootmakers have been faithful devotees of the Compulsory Arbitration Act, -and as their present award expires at the end of this year the question arises should they again approach the court for a betterment of conditions? The answer is in the negative, and a careful analysis of facts relative to that trade should be enlightening generally. The bootmakers are one of the oldest constituted Federations in the Dominion, and have api?roached the Court on six previous occasions. The present award provides two grades of workmen and the minimum Avage is £2 6s for first graders, and £2 5s second graders —for 45 hours per week. Just ponder! £2 5s per week after six visits to-the Court! All this litgation has been costly and has been productive of the above magnificent wage. The 45 hours was granted by the employers in conference some years ago. It really means 47 hours, as the award allows two hours overtime to be worked at ordinary rates, and, judging by Justice Sim's remarks in his memorandum attached to the present award, the emplo3'ers made a mistake by agreeing to a reduction of hours, for the learned judge, in fixing the hours of work after considering the union's demands for less hours, said: "So far from the hours of work being further reduced, they should be restored to 48, as fixed originally by the Court, so as to enable workers to increase their earnings."

Now, has the Court changed one iota in its decisions since framing this memorandum ? Again the negative answer. •

At the next dispute the employers may ask for the restoring of tlie 48 hours. •■■■■■

Beware of Dominion-Awards!

The bootmakers were probably the first Federation of Workers to apply for a Dominion award. What has been the result of such clamouring and of idolatrous worship of the Arbitration Court? Legal procedure counteracted the bootmakers by fixing the award on the evidence submitted by the employers from the poorest paid centre, Avhere surplus labor predominates. Surely £2 5s a week is proof enough that a Dominion award is not the key to the situation, for the recent Employers' Conference passed the following resolution to be submitted to the Minister of Labor for consideration : 'That the Arbitration Act be amended so as to give the Court pow r er to make Dominion awards after hearing evidence in one or moro centres, as the Court deems fit and proper." It is evident the employers welcome Dominion awards. What has the increased tariff performed of benefit to the boot workers? Absolutely nothing, for at the present time unemployment in every centre is prevalent, and the imports are increasing : therefore, the increased tariff has had no good effect on the boot workers. This increased tariff was the principal ground on which the union based its claim in the last dispute, and Justice Sims frankly admitted that it was proved to the Court's satisfaction that a cciisidera,b!e decrease of imported footwear had occurred since the increased duty had been imposed, and next grants Is per hour to journeymen after serving five years' apprenticeship as provided for in the award. Knowing that the imports are increasing, this tariff version cannot be repeated. W T hat new line of evidence can be submitted? None whatever! Therefore for their' general welfare the bootmakers should divorce the Court altogether, aud demand their rights with the aid of a strong militant organisation at their back, such as the New Zealand Federation of Labor. Tb.is crawling to the Court should be abolished. More fight should be shown and the power to strike, if necessaiy, should be recovered. Bootmakers after reading the 1909 memorandum and still advocating the Court, must be possessed of as much backbone as an oyster. The last award was based on the employers' demands; therefore why was the approach to the Court necessary. The last- Court case cose the bootmakers' Federation over £400; therefore a recurrence is not desirable. Judge Sim has made it clear that no increase can be given. Before the time is lost and a new award sought, cancel your registration and fight for your rights as your pioneer bootmakers did years ago.