Trades and the Workers

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 338, 25 April 1928, Page 14

Trades and the Workers

By

“ARBITER”

UNION MEETINGS DUE

Thursday, April 26 (to-night) Thursday, April 26 (to-night) Thursday, April 26 (to-night) Monday, April 30 .. „ f .. .. Tuesday, May 1 Wednesday, May 2 Wednesday, May 2 Mr. J. Sutherland, secretary of the General Labourers’ Union, has been ill for several days, but is back on the job again. Mr. R. F. Barter, secretary of the Amalgamated Engineers’ Union, is back from Christchurch where‘he has been attending a conference of the federation. * * * Arbitration Court The Arbitration Court is in for a busy time in Auckland, and instead of the fortnight which had been allowed in the estimated itinerary, an extra yreek will have to be devoted to consideration of the cases on the board. Much of the court’s time will be occupied in hearing cases affecting t.lie workers’ interests. There is a list of parties to be added to awards, quite a number of industrial disputes and applications for new awards, and several compensation cases involving permanent injury to men while in the execution of their regular work. Among the cases will be the appeal of the Bakers’ Union against the decision of a magistrate in respect to the definition of a baking day. * * • Blind Workers The application to bring the Jubilee Institute for the Blind under the Northern Industrial Wickerworkers is being heard by the Arbitration Court to-day. This case was brought up in 1926, when Mr. Justice Frazer said in his memorandum: “There is no suggestion that the inmates are overworked, that the conditions are onerous, or that they are underpaid for their work. Further, their earnings are supplemented by a Government pension of 17s 6d a week, and by a grant of 25 per cent. of their earnings up to a certain limit. An increase of wages beyond that limit would have the effect of reducing the Government pension and grant, and imposing an added burden on the funds of the institute. Further, the condi-

.. Boilermakers .. Rope and Twine Workers . . .. Related Printing- Trades Bricklayers Engineers Carpenters .. Tramway Officers (special) tions fixed by an award would not be reasonably applicable to such an institution as this. “On the other hand, the present application arose from complaints of undercuting prices. It is not right that a publicly supported institution should compete unfairly with private enterprises, but the director, Mr. Clutha Mackenzie, intimated that he was willing to discuss prices with representatives of the trade. This, it seems to us, is the proper solution of the question. Sales of goods in the ordinary course of business could be based on a general understanding as to minimum prices for different classes of work.” * * * Tributes To Leader Glowing tribute was paid to Mr. Charlton by opposing political parties in the Australian House of Representatives recently, when he announced his resignation through ill-health of the leadership of the Labour Party. The most eloquent tribute came from the Prime Minister, Mr. S. M. Bruce, who said: “I can assure him,” said Mr. Bruce, “that with all political considerations cast aside, he has earned the respect of every member in the time in which he has occupied his honourable office. I hope that the undermining of his health as the result of his arduous services is not of a serious character, and that he will long be able to serve his country. I have been Leader of the Government for five years while Mr. Charlton has been Leader of the Opposition, and I would like to record my appreciation of the courtesy he has always extended to me. and my deep personal regard for him. Ido not remember any occasion upon which he has not honoured every obligation he has entered into with me.” On behalf of the officers of the House, the Speaker, Sir Littleton Groom, expressed appreciation of the way in which Mr. Charlton had assisted to make the work of Parliament proceed

smoothly and in accordance with the | best traditions. * * • Thoughtful Company A thoughtful attiude on the part of a company, and one that is greatly appreciated by the men, is reported from Australia, where the Lithgow Valley Colliery Company has posted a notice to the effect that, while it is not to the benefit of the company to keep more men on its books than is necessary for the output, no notices of dismissal have been given, nor will be, in spite of slackness of trade. This action was taken because it was thought the men would prefer to stop on for short work rather than have others placed on the unemployed market when work is so scarce. However, any man obtaining better work elsewhere will be permitted to leave immediately, without having to give the usual 14 days’ notice, on notifying the manager. ■Employers’ Liability The responsibility of an employer in the notification of an accident to a workman, was outlined by Judge Perdriau, of the Workers’ Compensation Commission, of New South Wales, recently. He drew the attention of employers to the conditions of their indemnity policy under the Workers' Compensation Act, 1926-27, and said that these conditions require that every notice or communication to be given under or made under the policy shall be delivered at the office of the insurer as soon as practicable. An employer is obliged to give notice of injury to an employee in reasonable time, or his policy may become void, and the liability thrown back on him. * * * The New Leader? Reports from Australia, following the resignation of Mr. Charlton, state that officials at the Trades Hall expressed jubilation yesterday at the possibility of Mr. Theodore securing the leadership of the Labour Party. It is generally expected that the State A.L.P. executive will exert its influence on Federal members to ensure that Mr. Theodore should lead the party at the next Federal elections. When Mr. Theodore was endorsed as the Labour candidate for West Sydney, the appointment was not regarded as a popular one at the Trades Hall. Since then, however, Mr. Theodore lias gained much support, because of his action in supporting the nominees of the- controlling faction of the A.L.P. at the last elections. lie has since addressed meetings of the Labour Council, and has been accused by his erstwhile supporters, the A.W.TJ. section, of flirting with the Reds.