UNIONISTS DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 269, 12 November 1937, Page 9

UNIONISTS DEATH.

MR. ANDREW COLLINS. (By Telegraph.—Press Assortntlon.) WELLIXGTOX, this day. The death has occurred at the age of 88 years of Mr. Andrew Collins, who has been described as the "father" of trade unionism in Xew Zealand. Mr. Collins gave 45 years' service to the Labour movement up to his retirement in 1930. About the year 1875 he and others formed the Bread Bakers' Union —the first union in the Dominion. Three years later «he pastrycooks were added, so forming the present union. An agreement was reached with the employers as to working conditions, and t when "arbitration came in 1898 his was I the first union to register under the Act. | Mr. Collins was always a keen supporter of the Arbitration Court.

In 1898 Mr. Collins represented the Operative Bakers' Union and Tailoresses' Union of Xew Zealand at the Labour Congress in Bristol, enjoying the distinction of being the»first Labour representative from New Zealand to attend a Labour Congress in England. When the question of arbitration and conciliation came to the vote at the congress the ticket vofe was against the proposal by three millions. In Xew Zealand Mr. Collins did extensive work 'in organising other union*.