Trades and the Workers

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 518, 22 November 1928, Page 6

Trades and the Workers

-♦ By

“ARBITER”

UNION MEETING DATES

Thursday, November 22 (To-night) Alliance of Labour Thursday, November 22 (To-night) .. Plumbers Monday, November 26 Painters Monday, November 26 .. .. .. .. .. Bricklayers Mondai. November 26 .. Butchers Tuesday, November 27 Stonemasons Tuesday, November 27 W.E.A. Wednesday, November 28 .. .. .. Carpenters

Mr. K. I'. Barter, secretary of the Amalgamated Engineers’ Union is in the Waikato district on organisation ! work. He will be in Auckland again on Monday. Mr. Jas. Purtell has returned from the South Island, where he watched the interests of the glass-workers and the brick-workers. Things in. the furniture trades are better than they have been for two years, though there is still a goodly number on the unemployment books. The new hostel at Waitomo gives a few of them a job for a while, and it is hoped that the brighter tone will be maintained. One day last week every man in the 'Carpenters' Union was in a job. This position, which in recent months lias become to be regarded as unique, lasted for only a day, however, and now the books contain the names of many out of work men. * * * Paid Off the Job It is noticeable that many men who Ctre working on jobs away from the headquarters of their firms are compelled on pay-day to walk from the job to the boss’s place for their money. In some cases this occasions a great deal of inconvenience, particularly when the workman has to catch a boat, a bus or a tram. It seems a small point, but to many people it is of •significance when domestic duties call for their immediate attention after the working day is over. As a question of principle, however, the boss should transport a man’s pay to the job on Which he is working. * * * Co-operation in Industry The basis of co-operation which was established early in the year between the masters and men in the engineering industry in respect to the employment of men has produced many gratifying results, and many men have been placed under this arrangement of goodwill. General workers were placed at the beginning of the week and the arrangement is working satisfactorily. The engineering trader were the first to display a feeling of conciliation and co-operation in the common requirements of the industry, and the success of the move should be an example to other unions which are not so fortunate in their relations with the bosses. It should be an example also to a few of the employers who do not

seem to realise the necessity for careful and judicious handling of the men. The “Red Scare’’ lu view of New Zealand’s political perplexities the general election to the Swedish Lower House has feature® of more than local interest. In the last Parliament the Socialists were within eleven seats of securing an absolute majority, and they looked forward to securing one thi® time. Fearing the possibility of the Communists splitting the Left vote, they tried to work with them, with the result that the issue, instead of being one of practical policies, became the academic one of Socialism versus all the other political creeds. The mere suspicion of alliance with Bolshevism rallied the propertied classes against the Socialists, who also parted with votes to their “allies.” They have in consequence lost many seats. An English journal says that there is no other explanation for the defeat than the “Red scare.” Five-Day Week “We have 62,500 member®, or approximately one-half of the Brotherhood of Painters, working on a five-day basis,” reports’ the general president of that organisation in America. ‘‘Within a few years the five-day week in our trade will be universal. Wherever this system has been established it has proven satisfactory to employer and employed. “No better method has been devised to meet new conditions that machinery and labour-saving; devices have created.” Liberals and Labour The political possibilities in England after the General Election have been discussed by Mr. Philip Snowden, the Labour Party Chancellor of the Exchequer, in England, and he says that assuming a clear majority of Liberal and Labour members over Conservatives, some sort of understanding between the two progressive parties is indispensable. He is sure that iiq arrangement like that of 3 924 will be tried again. From the point of view of the future of the Liberal Party, any coalition or undertaking to keep the Tories in office, would be absolutely fatal. It would complete the ruin of the Liberal Party which the previous coalition began. It would so strengthen the Labour. Party that its reurn with an independent majority at the next election would be assured. If the Liberals offered to support a Labour Government on an agreed programme he thinks it could be arranged; but if they went farther and insisted on sharing offices the difficulties seem to him insurmountable.