Trades and the Workers

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 576, 31 January 1929, Page 12

Trades and the Workers

f By '‘ARBITER’' + UNION MEETING DATES Thursday, January Cl (to-night) Boilermakers Monday, February 4 Shipwrights Monday, February 4 Bricklayers Tuesdav, February 5 Amalgamated Engineers Tuesday, February 5 Timber-workers Tuesday. February 5 Hairdressers* Wednesday. February 6 .. Carpenters

Stonemasons “As You Were” “As you were,” is the position of the 16 stonemasons, over whom there has been a dispute lor the past month. Conciliation efforts have been made by representatives of the parties, but the proposals advanced could not be accepted by either side. It is now unlikely that any settlement of the position will be .reached until the Arbitration Court has a say toward the end of February. No definite date for hearing the dispute has been set down, but it is expected to be taken by the Court about February 22. The stonemasons in this trouble were working on the new Auckland railway station, and left the job because of an alleged breach of award by the employer in using a machine' the dimensions of which were forbidden in the terms of the Stonemasons’ Award. Workers’ Homes Workers in the Auckland district are joining in the general gratification at the release of State Advances money, which is beginning to trickle through to waiting applicants. In many cases, men who have been hung up for nearly two years have been granted their loans, and are now able to get on with the building of much delayed houses. The release of these loans will do more toward restoring public confidence in the trade market than any other financial move, and in addition, it should produce the effect of stimulating building in the suburbs where vacant' sections have been waiting for some time. There is still in the heart of the worker the desire to have his own home, and if the interest is right, the Government loan will bring it within his reach. * m * Motor-Car Industry Nine out of every 10 automobiles in the world to-day Were made in America, according to figures compiled by the Department of Commerce. There were 29,687.499 automobiles in service throughout the world at the beginning of last year. Of these 25,597,186, or 89.6 per cent., are Americanmade. Labourers are Hopeful There is a more cheerful tone among the general labourers at the present time, mainly on account of the prospect of several big jobs providing work for a few men in the near future. The erection of a new hotel which is to start shortly is relied upon for the absorption of a number of men, while there are indications of other works being taken in hand as soon as the new year gets into its industrial swing. In addition, there is a possibility of a revival of house building in some of the more progressive suburbs, which will take a few carpenters from the unemployed books of the general labom *s. At the present time the unskilled labourer has to suffer the brunt of the stagnant skilled trades, because when bad times arrive all men are equally anxious to get into the nearest job that offers and all become labourers. It is to be sincerely hoped that the optimism of the labourers is justified, for they have had the worst burden to bear during the heavy times of the past two years. Labour and the By-Election Labour supporters are wondering if the party will put up a Irian for the Bay of Islands seat at the forthcoming by-election, the date of which has not yet been fixed. It would be bad policy for the party to run a man in this contest, and it is unlikely that this will be done. The Election Court lias nullified the General Election, and has ordered that the race shall be run again. For extra parties to come into the field in view of the expressed intentions of the candidates, therefore, would not be good political tactics. Mr. Rushworth, whose specific allegiance of course is to the Country Party, has promised the Ward Government his support. He will get the Labour vote in a straight-out contest. Mr. Bell, the Reformer, is definitely pledged, and the people know where they stand with him. The tliLrd man, Mr. Hornblow, who insisted upon flying the Liberal banner, was not taken seriously at the November poll. Moreover, if Labour runs a man for the by-election, the United Party might feel obliged to do the same. Thus the election field of the Bay of Islands, which has gained prominence through unfortunate circumstances, will be made the arena of political pothunting. Labour will gain more by keeping out of this contest, and the heads of the movement appear to realise this. * * * A Justifiable Kick Timber workers in New Zealand are feeling sore about the treatment of their fellow-workers in Australia in respect to the new award of Judge Lukin, which demands the working of four extra hours in the week, and provides for a reduction in the rates of pay. It is natural, of course, for the worker to look at things from the viewpoint of the wage-earner—particu-larly when the boss is similarly selfcentred —but this question, even when seen in the cold light of impartiality, appears to be an unwarranted blow to the workers in the Australian timber industry. The conditions in timber working in the Commonwealth are not the best at any time. Obsolete machinery and bad working environment for the men are not uncommon, while the wages are only what the industry will allow. It is admitted, on the other hand, that the timber industry in Australia, as well as in this country, has suffered acutely through importations and the lack of up-to-date plant. So far has it been affected, in fact, that a drastic step must be taken if its position is to be retrieved. But here is the pivot of the whole business: If the industry has to suffer in its recovery, why should not both sides suffer equally? True, the men will have to do their part to bring the timber-milling and distribution back to normal, but why not impose a similar obligation upon the owners and the millers? It might well be asked: Are the bosses doing their share in this revival of a stagnant trade? “Arbiter,” judging the Australian situation from the conditions in this country (which are analagous) and upon the reports from across the Tasman, is inclined to believe that the double-barrelled thrust at the men is rubbing the salt into COLOMBO TEA SALES (United Service) COLOMBO, Tuesday. At the Colombo tea sales to-day the market was stronger all round by from two to five cents. A total of 2,700,0001 b was submitted. Quotations were: Broken Orange Pekoe, fine, 130 to 136 cents a lb; medium, 109 to 112 cents; common, 90 to 93 cents. Broken Pekoe, fine, 115 to 119 cents; medium, 99 to 102 cents; common, 79 cents; commonest, 71 cents. The catalogue for next week comprises 800,0001 b. The market is expected -to show sl further advance.

what is already an exceptionally painful wound. The men are willing to do their part in the sacrifice for better conditions, but they must be assured that the other side is pulling its weight in the battle against foreign importations. At present they are not getting that assurance, and they are kicking. * * * Employers’ Cold Spirit The formation of an industrial council in England lias been opposed by the British Engineers’ Association, according to a cable received this week. The reason given is that Labour views things purely from Labour's viewpoint and essentially in a political light, and the association declares that the Trades Union Congress is not competent to handle the big Questions which would face the operation of an industrial council. Although the opinion cabled is that of one association only, there is a measure of truth in what it says; for the Trade Union Congress necessarily considers politics when dealing with general labour and industrial problems, simply because political engineering by the employers has driven them with their backs to the wall to defend their political tenets as well as their industrial principles. It is a pity that the employers in the engineering trades at Home will not give Labour generally the credit for trying to solve the problems which face the country, because until there is co-operation among the interests concerned, nothing tangible will be recorded toward effecting a complete solution. Trade unionism, on the other hand, is badly disorganised, and while that state of affairs exists. Labour can hardly hope to get anything worth while done toward making their conditions better and their positions more courteously recognised by the bosses. Obviously a reorganisation of industry is required in the Old Country. An industrial council has been suggested as the first step. And, strangely enough, it is the employer who throws upon the proposal the first douche of cold water. Helping- the “Reds” Another instance of the unsettled Labour position in Australia has arrived by mail. A move has been made in certain Labour quarters to prevent Senator A. Rae, an ex-New Zealander, from participating in meetings of the Federal Labour caucus because of the campaign he has conducted on behalf of the “rank and file” faction against the officials of the Australian Labour party. For many years Senator Rae has led this faction in the pastoral section of the union, and his actions have been strongly resented by A.W.U. officers, who claim that he has been disrupting the organisation in the interests of the Trades Hall “Reds.” It is pointed out that the Federal president of the Australian "Workers’ Union (Senator J. Barnes) will probably win the leadership of the Labour party in the Senate. If he does he will probably be asked to declare that Senator Rae is ineligible to attend caucus meetings under rule 8, which reads: “The executive shall be empowered to refuse recognition to any Federal candidate whose past record proves him unworthy of confidence, provided that such candidate has first been given an opportunity of defending himself.’* One of Senator Rae’s colleagues is Senator J. Dooley, who was recently appointed president of the railway workers’ section of the Australian Workers’ Union, a body which Senator Rae’s supporters have been attacking for many years.