Nz Socialists Want New

Working Conditions In

Cooks

NEW Zealand trade unionism is still concerning itself actively with Cook Islands matters. At the annual Fed eration of Labour meeting in Wellington, at the end of November, much time was devoted to the Cook Group and after a full discussion it was decided that: • The organised workers be granted wage increases relative to recent increases granted in New Zealand by the Court of Arbitration. • Cook Islands workers be granted im proved conditions of employment similar to those granted to New Zealand workers since 1945. • A request be made to the Minister for provision to be made granting preference to unionists in any industrial agreement made by. or on behalf of, the Cook Islands Industrial Union of Workers. • The national executive make repre sentations that the union bring down a register of the various categories of workers and that first preference be given to workers in the respective categories, provided that they are mem bers of the Union.

Despatches from the Cook Islands in dicate that the Islanders’ great need is not for fancy working conditions, as con ceived by New Zealand’s pink socialists, but for encouragement in a “back to the land” movement, and instruction in fruit and vegetable growing for the overseas market.

The present-day socialist, however, is much more interested in the theory of “working conditions,” than he is in the practical business of actual work.