WORK AND WAGES

Southland Times, Issue 18835, 31 May 1920, Page 6

WORK AND WAGES

'FRENCH PUBLIC SERVICES. , LABOUR FEDERATION BANNED. I . i (B.V Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) j (The Time,.-.; 1 LONDON, May*23. According to the Timc-s's Pans correspondent, M. Millerand has ordered unionist State officials to withdraw' from the Labour Confederation on account of the latter s revolutionary character. The Government is legislating, giving officials the right of combination but forbidding membership of the industrial federation. NEW 30UTH WALES RAILWAYMEN. DOUBLE PAY DEMANDED. GOVERNMENT AND COMMISSIONERS. SYDNEY, May 29. With reference to the railwaymen’s demand for, double pay during the Prince of W ale.;’ visit the Commissioners declined to promise payment beforehand, but after the visit they were prepared to make adequate additional payment for any ascertained extra duties incurred. A deputation or railwayman interviewed Mr Dooly, who promised that if the Com--01.s; ieners refused to pay he would have an amount placed on the Estimates to cover payment. In regard to railway policy generally he added that the Government had submitted their desires to the Commissioners. Whether the policy of the Commissioners was going to be in keeping with the policy of the Government he was unable to say but he would give the assurance that the policy of the Labour Party as declared at the elections was going to be carried out.

ONE BIG UNION SCHEME. CONFERENCE AT PERTH. PERTH, May 29. The One Big Union Conference decided that its ranks; be open to Maoris and negroes, hut not to Asiatics, but also that there be no discrimination between workers receiving wages and salaries. AFFAIRS IN NEW ZEALAND. COUNTRY WORKERS’ COMPLAINTS. DEPUTATION TO SIR WILLIAM HERRIES. (Per United Press Association.)

, WELLINGTON, May 29. Various complaints regarding the accommodation of country workers were made by a deputation from the New~Zealand Workers’ Union to the Minister of Labour (Sir William Herries) to-day. The speakers also referred to a number of other questions of Labour Department administration. Mr Mclnerney, representing the Public Works employees in the Union, said he hoped the Department would give every assistance in maintaining the imropved state of allairs brought about by the agreement with the Minister of Public Works. Mr S. Boreham referred to the wages of Public Works employees, which matter had been reserved for Cabinet consideration. He contended that prices : n the back country were at least 25 per cent, higher than in the cities. The Prime Minister had said in the House that wages for Government employees would be based on Ibe awards of the Arbitration Court, but this was not being done.

Mr Langston urged that the Government Labour bureau system should be improved and extended to avoid the present duplication of the private employment agencies. The Workers’ Union wished to assist in greater production, and for this purpose it desired to see an end made of the wade of time and energy- involved in men run ning hither and thither in search of employment. Mr Townsend asked that the Shearers’ Accommodation Act should not be allowed to become a dead letter. Wairoa farmers had stated that Maoris did not want improved accommodation, but they did and they threatened to take direct action and not shear for farmers- who did not provide what was laid down. The Minister; I think a great deal has been done.

Mr Townsend said that at some places in the Wafrarapa up to date accommodation of the best class had been given, but side by side with that were sheds which had not changed from old times. Mr Templeton said an amendment to the Act was required to meet the circumstances where Maoris of both sexes were employed. Mo suggested that the organisers in the industry should be appointed primary inspectors so as to allow them to inspect accommodation and report to the Department where it was bad. The Minister said it would be a help to ( the Department to hear the complaints- of | the Union, so that the Department might know what was really going on. A great step in advance had been made in passing the Shearers' Accommodation Act. At any rate squatters came to him and said they would he ruined by it. They said they could not get timber, and certainly there was difficulty in that respect. However, instructions had been sent out as to what was required, and it was intended to pul the Act into operation as far as possible. They would admit that the accommodation !.a-l been improved, whether by the Union or tlie Labour Department. Public Works matters were under the control of Mr Coates and the Labour Department would fall in with any decision he came to. Mr Coates had the confidence of the Government, and any reasonable proposition he put before the Cabinet would no doubt be endorsed. -"Railway conferences were now in progress, and if a general bonus on wages were granted it would probably apply also to other public employees. As Native Minister he had had no complaints regarding the accommodation for Maori shearers. If the Maoris, through their members, expressed a desire for legal action in this respect he was quite willing to carry it into effect. Of course, Maori customs were different from those of Europeans. A member of the deputation said that in cases where there were more than one family occupying one hut partitions were required. Another member said that the Hon. A. T. Ngata would only represent the wealthier landowning Maoris, and he was opposed to the Union. The Minister said he must consider the views of the Native members as represent - in" the race. With regard to the other complaints, the Secretary for Labour had heard their statements, ami would make investigations. If there was laxity in inspection, action would be taken. The Labour bureau question was one of administration. If the system were extended there would no doubt be complaints that the Government was monopolising the labour supply. Members: Why shouldn’t the Government do it ? The Minister said that every consideration would be given the request.