Agreements and Improved Machinery.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 51, 1 March 1912, Page 7

Agreements and Improved Machinery.

By T. H. MARSHALL.

One cannot peruse the pages of our paper week by week without becoming conscious of tb« strides the Federation is making. While to a certain extent the, progress is stimulating, there is also the possibility of an aftermath similar to that which usually follows on the indulgence of stinrilants in general. For instance, "Lest we Forget," by P. IT. Hickey, seems to mo as likely to cause an aftermath that is calculated to land us in the santo place as all agreements are consigned to by the writer. To a certain extent, one is in accord with Hickey, and ono is prepared to admit that while wo retain tho right to strike there may arise circumstances which, compelling us to strike, would make the violation, of an agreement absolutely necessary. Such being the case, one would havo no hesitation in applying the doctrine of violation. On the other hand, for men to enter into an agreement with the deliberate determination not to abido by it is an evil that cannot be allowed to pass unchallenged. Possibly one misunderstands Hickey, and the latter phase is not what he means —at least, one hopes it's not. Seeing the Federation is" fast taking the place of the Arbitration Court, and Organiser Semplo is displacing Judgo Sim, may I suggest that when agreements are entered into, they will bo for the briefest period possible ? The present activities of the Federation open up wide vistas for criticism to flow through. Numerous unions throughout the Dominion are availing themselves of the services of the Federation in lieu of tho almost obsolete Arbitration Court. Whether this is the function of the Federation or not is a moot point that need not be debated now. What docs want adjusting is the position of tbe unions that benefit towards the finances of the Federation, which aro being drained in their interest. Somo of us have borne tho heat of the day, and are still bearing the brunt of tho battle, and, what's moro, aro prepared to keep on bearing; but tho strain will tell somewhere, and a chain is only so strong as its weakest link. We have practically six men running up and (lowin the country endeavoring to settle disputes, incurring expense, and heaping up liabilities, whilo for lack of funds wo cannot have a conference until August. Such a state of affairs cannot continue. Let us call a truco. The Federation is being chased by small bodies, and it is chasing larger ones. Let us draw breath awhile. If any union desires the services of the Federation as an adjuster of disputes, let such union pay the expenses, equal at least to what it would pay for the Court. And if an affiliated union desired a dispute adjusting by tho executive, then a deposit should bo made with the notice of such dispute, guaranteeing soino of tho expense. Tho machinery of our Federation needs overhauling. Some of it needs scrapping; most of it needs reorganising to copo with the industrial position of today and the future. This work is of primary importance, and should be entered into immediately. That it should be relegated to conference seems to mo disastrous. Five men (more, if thought necessary) should bo chosen and commisi sioned to draw up a scheme of reorgan- ! isation, to bo submitted to tho various i unions affiliated, discussed by them

and thence to conference. One week's work by thoso men ought to be sufficient to draft a scheme, ouch man to bo remunerated on the basis of outo I-pocket expense!. Altruism seems to have committed suicide these days in tlie pool of pelf; let us try and resurrect it.