UNEMPLOYED.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1922, Page 5

UNEMPLOYED.

ACTION BY UNIONISTS. SUBSIDY TO GENERAL FUND. AWARD RATES AIMED AT. ’ A meeting of unionists was held at the Workers’ Social Hall last night to discuss the unemployment question, Mr. G. J. Blocker (chairman of the Taranaki Workers’ Council) preaiding over an attendance of about forty, who were present from the following unions: Watersiders, freezing workers, general laborers, carpenters, timber workers, butchers, storemen, typographical, drivers, hotel workers and tailors. The chairman said the objects of the meeting were to see what financial aid unionists were willing to give to the unemployment relief fund and on what conditions, if any, they were willing to contribute. In sketching the position, the speaker said the Press was suppressing the truth when it was stated that, the Workers’ Council was antagonistic to the unemployment relief fund, for the council was sympathetic towards the fund but did not feel that there was any use in making a charitable aid institution of the (business. Full award wages should be given. If a man had been unemployed for a number of weeks it was useless to offer him 12s a day, especially as this really meant 12s for two days, the men being employed for one week and being off for a week. When out of work a man got back in his rent, stores and other accounts. How then was he going to pick up on 12s for two days? That day the Press of New Plymouth had paid the council two compliments. Very seldom it was that the Press took notice of labor at all, but that day both papers had a sub-leader on the attitude of labor and the unemployed.

THE PRESS CRITICISED. The Daily News suib-leader, said the speaker, abused the council and held them up to ridicule. Quoting freely from the article in question, the speaker said the passage: “It is significantly on all fours with the attitude assumed by the other labor organisations in Wellington and other places” was also a compliment, as it showed that labor was organised everywhere. Proceeding, the speaker said he could not see the “dire threat” in standing out for a principle. The statement, “misguided and illogical labor” was also ridiculed, the speaker claiming that ignorance was displayed in the article when the difference between the Labor Union and the Workers’ Council (an association of unions) was not recognised. The Press argued that unemployment was caused by award wages, but these were fixed by the Arbitration Court, which considered that 14s 8d a day was the smallest sum a unionist and his family could live upon. The Taranaki Workers’ Council contended that unemployment was caused by the rotten social system, a system the Press upheld. The meeting that night (had, however, been called, to see what attitude was to be taken by the council regarding the, unemployment question. | Mr. F. J. Lyons moved: “That this I meeting of unionists pledges itself to do I its utmost to help the unemployed, but ; adheres to the principle as laid down by ■ the Arbitration Court, that not less • than a minimum of 14s 8d be paid to , general laborers, and refuses to be a I party to the abrogation of any award, j and that the Harbor Board be commended for its action in paying award rates.” Mr. Lyons said that so far as he knew the Harbor Board was the only body that was taking a definite stand on the I wages question. Mr. Lester seconded the motion,‘which, after a short discussion, was carried unanimously. UNIONISTS TO HELP. In response to an appeal as to how the unemployed were to be assisted, it was moved that each unionist contribute a shilling a week for the relief of those out of work. This motion was seconded, but an amendment was moved to the effect that “we voluntarily subscribe 5 per cent, of our wages.” The shilling a week proposal was described as absolutely ridiculous, as, if the meeting that night was any indication of how much .could be raised by this means, then only about £2 weekly would be contributed. It would be better to let the other side go on with their scheme. It was pointed out that contributions should be voluntary and not binding on anyone.

After this had been seconded, a further notice of motion was given. The original proposal was disposed of, whereupon the amendment became the motion, and the following amendment was moved by Mr. Hedley and seconded by Mr. Raill: “That this meeting of employed trade unionists agree to contribute 5 per cent, per week to form a special fund for the relief of unemployment, this fund to be conducted by the Taranaki Workers’ Council, and that trade union wages be maintained.” Mr. Clarke suggested that the union funds should be used to subsidise the general fund raised by the Unemployment Committee to enable the wages paid to be raised from 12s to 14s Bd. The unionists would be doing a greater service this way. The chairman explained that that was the whole idea if it were acceptable to the Unemployment Committee.

Mr. Lyons asked if preference was to be given to unionists or were men to be put on indiscriminately, irrespective of whether they were 1913 men or not? Mr. Scott suggested that, unionists sent along to the committee by the council should be paid the full award rate by means of a subsidy out of the council’s funds, leaving the committee to pay the other men what rate they thought fit. The chairman said the secretary of the Taranaki Workers’ Council would use his own discretion as to what men he sent along from the council to the committee, and these men should be paid the full rate. The amendment was then put and carried.

A discussion ensued as to the, best means of raising the 5 per cent, contributions from workers, and, after several suggestions had been put forward, Mr. Scott moved that all employees in New Plymouth be approached regarding the matter of collecting contributions from all trade unionists willing to contribute to the unemployment fund. Mr. Bendall thought that all employees, unionists or otherwise, should be approached and asked if they were willing to assist. This moved Mr. Lyons to declare that it was the first duty of workers to join the unfofiz representing the clmh of in-

dustry they were engaged in. He for one would not be prepared to eolieff contributions from non- unionists, who were a menace to the union cause. If that attitude were taken up, Mr. Scott thought the .wife and children . would have to suffer, and innocent cMtdren should not be penalised hacwnM' their father was not a unionist. It would be a fine thing to help the nonunionists, and this might induce them to join a union. The chairman said he took it that money would be taken from anyone who was willing to contribute, “even from the Employers’ Association.” The resolution wa® carried. NO PREFERENCE TO SOLDIERS. A The social committee of the Workers* Council were appointed to run a euchre party in aid of the fund, a volunteer committee from the meeting to assist them in their effort. Those present gave in their names as willing to contribute five per cent, ©f their wages weekly towards the fund. In answer to a question, the ehairman said the paying of full award wages would, he took it, be paid to returned soldiers who were also unionists. He thought, however, that “the returned soldier stunt” was just about worked out, and all men affected should be considered from the viewpoint of workieai. The whole aim was that all the men should have full award wages paid them; meanwhile the unions would help all they could by means of subsidising the general fund.

In the event of the Unemployment Committee accepting the council’s financial assistance with the necessary conditions attached, it was resolved that application should be made by the council for three representativete being placed on the committee. The matter of -bringing. the business to finality was left in the hands; of the Taranaki Workers’ Council and tihe meeting cloaad. An unemployed fund has been opeiibd by the Taranaki Workers’ Council,- and subscriptions will he received by the secretary -{Mr. R. Brabyn) at' "th© Workers’ Social Hall and will be acknowledged daily in the Press.

THE PIERROTS AND YW.CA , EFFORT. (To the Editor) Sir, —The Pierrots, in conjunction with the Y.W.C.A., who are organising a gigantic carnival and Paddy’s Market during the week commencing July 31, have now commenced operations. As already announced a feature of the carnival will be the cabaret, which will be open every evening. Side-shows, competitions, raffles, booths well-stocked with all classes of goods, art unions, etc., will afford patrons ample amusement and value for their money. The Pierrot canvassers who commenced operations yesterday found a certain amount of misunderstanding regarding the movement, and, on their behalf, I would be pleased if you would assist in making the position clear. The Pierrots require money with which to purchase goods for sale and raffle, and also donations from all who have saleable goods to offer. All the proceeds of the efforts of the Y.W.C.A. and Pierrots’ joint ef- , fort are for the Mayor’s unemployment find, which is being administered by a responsible committee of citizens. This committee, I have no doubt, has the confidence of the public, in that all money raised for unemployment is and will be wisely exp >nded, and that all eases, so far as the funds available will allow, are being dealt with in the order of necessity. All the Pierrots wish is that it be recognised that their organisation is in no way directly responsible for the administration of the funds to he raised, their effort being confined to assisting in strengthening the Mayor's fund, in order that continuous relief work may be carried on for a few weeks longer until such time as labor can be absorbed under normal Conditions of trade and industry.—l am, eta., (For the Pierrots) J. McLEOD.