AUCKLAND STOREMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 160, 9 July 1890, Page 2

AUCKLAND STOREMEN.

UNION TO BE FORMED.

MEETING LAST EVENING.

The Auckland carters some time ago formed a branch of the Now Zealand Federated Wharf Carters', Expressmen's, and Storemen's Union. No storemen, however, were found to join the union, although it was considered "that there were very many for whom a union must be a very good thing. The carters did nob wish toeoe the storemen stand oub, and last evening the Committee of the Union met bhe storemen by invitation, to pub before the latter the arguments in favour of joining the Union. There was an attendance of about 60 persons. Mr Davis occupied the chair, and explained the object of the meeting. He invited those present to diacuse the subject. On the platform of the Oddfellows' Hall, Cook-street, were the Committee of the already formed Carters' Union. Mr Kirkup, secretary of the Union, read the rules of the New Zealand Federated Wharf Carters', Storemen's and Expressmen's Union. These rules have been drawn up by delegates from the various centres. Mr Angus Campbellexpressed the opinion that they were called together really to help tho carters. He did nob think they should be asked to pay up any back subscriptions, as ib appeared from the Secretary's statement they would have to do. The back' contribution business was a piece of humbug. • The Chairman said the Union had been formed, and members had paid their contributions from the Ist of April. It would not be fair for them to pay, while new members cot in without paying. Mr Campbell said it was ridiculous to ask new members to pay from the lab of April. In all societies men paid from the time they ] °One' gentleman wished to speak on the subject; bub the Chairman ruled him out of order as being a carter. This meeting was one of storemen to meet the Committee of the Union already formed. Mr Campbell still wished to know why they should be asked to pay arrears and an entrance fee of two guineas. The Secretary said the rules were not yeb adopted; the Union was not yet legally formed. Still Mr Campbell wished to know what it would cost them to join the Union. Hβ was very well off with hisi employers, and the rules seemed likely to force him to do what he did nob wish to do.

Mr Kirkup explained that the storemen were asked to consider first, whether it was desirable to have a Union; and then whether the terms were good enough to join the Carters' Union. Mr White said they should give the carters credit for what they had done. Mr Simpson said he agreed that the carters deserved credit. But they were wandering from the subject. They were there to consider the advisability of forming a union. He thought a union should be formed, bub some of the rulee read by Mr Kirkup were inapplicable to storemen. At timee storemen and warehouse carters had to work overtime; while at other times they had very little to do. They should consider the employers. Many of the ruias wore, however, very good, and a Union would no doubt have many beneficial results, as in the case of men who where getting very small pay or had to work like slaves. By this time the little misunderstanding existing at the boginning of the meeting was over, and tho men settled down to discuss the matter. Mr Simpson proposed that now they had heard the rules of the Union, they should thank the carters for what they had done and should hold a meeting of storemen alone. He thought the present meeting was nob thoroughly representative. He would move that the sfcoremen should call a future meeting to discuss the question of forming a Union. This motion seemed to hit the feeling of the meeting, and after being seconded by Mr Campbell und spoken to by one or two present, was put to the meetiug and carried. An amendment was proposed by Mr Thomas that tho men should join the Union at once. The Secretary said be thought theycould not accept the storemon till they knew that the majority were agreeable to join. Mr Collings seconded tho amendment. On being put to tho meeting the amendment found no supporters, and the motion was carried unanimously. It was then decided to appoint the following gentlemen as a committee to canvass tho city and to test the feeling of storemen in tho matter: — Messrs D. Simpson, Thomas, Strong, Gleeson and Angus Campbell. Somo discussion took place at the close of the mooting as to whether gum storemen should bo admitted, and the opinion was generally expressed that owing to the peculiarities of the gum trade it would be better for the storemen in gum stores to form a separate Union.