United labor bulletin., 1913-02-27
THE MINIMUM WAGE IN AUSTRALIA

Australia seems so far away that any
news of the labor movement there has
particular interest. Mr.. NJ. Strahan, the
secretary of the Hotel and Caterers
EMPLOYEES association of Victoria, writ
ing from Melbourne, gives the following
details regarding the activities oil TINS
branch of the antipodal proletariat. In
Melbourne, he says, the union consists
of about $500 males and about 600 fe-
males. In Sydney, N. S. W., there are
two organizations, the Hotel, Club, Res
taurant and Cafe Employees Industrial
union (2,5O5 members), and the Wait
ers' Mutual Benefit society (500 men,
bers). In Adelaide, South Australia,
there is the Hotel, Restaurant, CluD
and Cafe Employees Industrial union
union GOO members); in Perth, West
Australia, the Hotel and Caterers EN-
ployes' union (400 members); Brisbane,
Queensland, the Restaurant and Hotel
Employees union 600 members; Ho-
bart, Tasmania. the Hotel and Restau-
rant Employees union (150 members) !;
New Zealand, the Federated Hotel, Res
taurant and Cafe Employees union (3,-
900 members).
The legal machinery for fixing wages
and conditions of labor consists of
wages boards and arbitration courts.
The wages boards consist of five repre-
sentatives of the employers and nve
representatives of the employees, with
an independent chairman elected by the
employers and employees representa-
tiyes. When the board cannot agree
on the choice of chairman the minis
ter of labor selects one. A secretary
is appointed for the board by the Fac
tory and Shops Department (bureau).
The board usually sits for four hours
once a week, for which each member
receives los and the chairman 2Os. The
general attitude of the board Is aggres-
siveness on the part of the employees
and defense by the employers. The en-
ployes invariably press for increased
wages and decreased hours OF working,
whereat the employers bring forward
all kinds of schemes for delaying the
work of the board and preventing any
alterations in conditions. Keen hghting
takes place and the chairman has often
to decide a point upon which the par
ties cannot agree. Various evidence is
taken in regard to, costs Of living, dan
ger of disease and sickness In occupa-
tions, etc. 1t often happens that rep
resentative is discharged owing to his
attitude in pressing his comrades
rights.
In the arbitration courts the proceed
ure is, naturally, somewhat different A
schedule of demands is laid before the
Judge and both sides argue the matter
out, the Judge finally giving his decision.
He fixes he rate of wages, working
hours and conditions under which the
trade shall be carried on.
In Melbourne the union possess ciub
rooms valued at $4,000; the mortality
funds reach R660. On the death OF a
member his widow is entitled to f25.
The club rooms include billiard room
1.-TWO tables). card rooms, smoking
room, bar and a reading room In which
all the local papers are kept. The club
has telephone communication with all
hotels, restaurants, caterers. etc. The
staff consists of the secretary and man.
ager, organizing secretary and three
stewards. About twelve years ago this
association consisted Of three different
sections, the Walters union,. the job
bing Walters and the Cooks and Assist
ants These amalgamated and formed
the present association which covers
all members working in the trade. At