An Australian Amalgamation.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 70, 12 July 1912, Page 9

An Australian Amalgamation.

"SICK OF WAGES BOARDS."

SYDNEY, June 4

A big amalgamation of Australian laborers' Unions, which may turn its back on the Labor Party, and refuse to have anything to do with legal arbitration, is a possibility within the next few days. If consolidation is fully effected it will possess a membership of about 25,000. It proposes to exercise unlimited power of absorption, and may swallow smaller bodies, irrespective of craft considerations.

In October last a conference of representatives of laborers' unions from various States of tho Commonwealth arrived at a basis of amalgamation, which was considered in many quarters to be of a startling character. Since then events havo progressed to the point of tho actual formation of the unified body and another interstate conference is to moot to-morrow for the purpose of finalising tho details. The Victorian and South Australian delegates, who arrived to-day, were emphatic in expressing determination to carry the amalgamation through on the lines laid down in October. "Wo shall go through with it," they said, "whether other unions of thc Commonwealth aro ready or not."

The secretary of the United Laborers' Union of Victoria (D. Cullihey) stated that his union was utterly sick of wages boards and arbitration courts. "Thero is nothing," ho remarked, "to bo gained by waiting for boards or courts, or for action through political channels. Wo are satisfied with our own working basis of organisation, as we find we aro well enough organised to drag from the employers by force. We are disgusted with craft unions, and dissatisfied with craft federations, as they ere maintained for tho purpose of going to the Arbitrati-n Court. They only serve to provide a number of officials with tho pleasures of office. Our idea is 'one union for Australia.' It is intended to be an organic amalgamation, to contain an unlimited number of bona fide workers."

"Are you in favor of tho general strike?" he was asked.

"When we are strong enough for that," ho replied, "we skill be able to ov»t all we want without it."—"Ago." [As the cables have informed us, the amalgamation has been effected ar-1 a journal is to be established for all Australia.. The organisation referred to is tbo one which cabled approval and congratulations to tho Waihi and Poofton men. —Ed.]