Annals of Toil

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 60, 3 May 1912, Page 6

Annals of Toil

Tho points in dispute between th_ Blackball Minors' Union and th© coal company that hung up'the new agreement have been settled. * * * P--e.mier Seadden, of Westralia, states that the Government has donated £1000 towards the building of tho Perthi Trades Hall. #■ « # A conference of saw-millers representing 120 mills took place in AA'ellington recently. Yet tho majority of tho New Zealand timber workers, aro outside the pale of labor organisation. The employers recognise tne benefits; when will the men follow suit? * * * There wero 7201 co-operative workers employed on roads and railways during March by the Government. Of the total 3096 wero employed on, railway works, 3934 on roads, 136 on buildings, and 35 in connection with publio buildings; • » * * Five hundred and thirty mon wero assisted to obtain work by the Labor Department in March-t-350 being sent to private employment and 180 to Government works. Of this number 154 wero newcomers from Great Britain, 21 came from Australia, and the balance were New Zealanders. , In the samo period 171 women wero assisted by the department's female officers. Forty of these were married women. » # # Complaint is made by officials of tha newly-formed Wellington Freezers' Union that registration has boon unduly delayed by the Labor Department, which will not pass tlie proposed rules because of an objection to ono particular word therein contained. They say, further, that they havo been endeavoring to secure the registration of the Union Fince early in February last. The Union membership is very large, and includes men employed in most parts of the district. * * * Tho annual subscription to the United Laborers' Union of Australia is 125., to be paid not less than quarterly in advance. * * # The Atbitration Court at Grcymouth last week awarded the widow of Frank Cuthbert, who was killed at tho Otira tunnel works on August 27, the sum of £000 compensation. Messrs. McLean and Sons resisted the claim on tho groutwl that tho accident was caused by the wilful neglect of instructions. * « * Tor, thousand officials, whoso salaries amount to £280,000 a year, manage tho trade unior. affairs of the United Kingdom. - » 3 Farmers in Otago aud Southland aro complaining of tho shortage of labor. If tho "backbone" would pay decent wages and provide decent accommodation, there would bo no scarcity. Men are more than iiiiimals. « • » The Boothuil-ors' Operatives' Federation lias applied for a Dominion award. It is thought that the ease will come on for hearing in Auckland during tho present month. * * * There cov.tinucs to bo a strong local demand for bilicr, and no out-of-works are reported (says the "Southland Times,'-' Imv-v-irgill). Artisans are being ki.-pt. busily employed, and there is an abundance cf work available for unskilled men. There continues to he a shortage ci (arm laborers and domestic servants. AA'ith rfgard to tho attempt being made by the Consolidated Mining Co. of Heefion w instal one-man machines in its AYaiuta mine, it is reported that the same clas< of machine is manned by two in« n io the Waihi district. The Aibitrr.tion Court has grunted nn award fer mustercrs and packers. The weekly wages are: For musterert £2 ■*".-.; packers £1 15s. * ** ■* J. Bead, secretary N.Z. Federation of Etigjncdnveis and Firemen, reports a very marked increase in the membership of his organisation as a result of tiho lircular i'sucd to cnginedrivers throughout New Zealand. Inquiries for further in ideation aro pouring in.