LABOR MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1922, Page 2

LABOR MATTERS.

ONE BIG UNION APPROVED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Jan. 17. The New Zealand Workers’ Union, the membership of which is approximately 22,000, has decided to adopt the one big union scheme, which was formulated at a conference of representatives of the New Zealand Workers’ Union and the Australian Workers’ Union early last year. This means that the New Zealand Workers’ Union has become part and parcel of the Australian organisation, the name of which is now the Australasian Workers’ Union with a membership of about 700,000. Although affiliated with the A.W’.U. the New. Zealand Union will retain full autonomy over its own affairs. It is expected there will be a big accretion to the membership. This year the conference tv ill be hold at Sydney on January 27, when New Zealand will be .represented. DANGER OF HIGHER WAGES. Wellington, Jan. 17. Application was recently made to the shipowners by the Federated Seamen’s Union for an increase in wages of £1 fid per month in accordance with a clause in the agreement that: increases corresponding to those made in Australia shall be granted in New Zealand. The ship-owners have informed the union that they have nd alternative but to grant the application should the union press the matter, but they request that the clause be not put into operation as it may entail the laying up of some additional ships.

The matter will be discussed at the next meeting of the executive of the Seamen’s Union.