CARPENTERS' UNION.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14982, 1 June 1914, Page 2

CARPENTERS' UNION.

HOW MUCH FORTHER?

PBESENTATION TO HON. J. BABB, M.L.O.

A TALK TO UNIONISTS. There was a large gathering in tV'oresters' Hall on Saturday night, •ben the members of tho Canterbury Carpenters' and Joiners' Union entertained the Hon. John Barr, M.L.C., at a banquet and made him n presentation in recognition of his services to the Union. The chair was occupied by Mr F. J. Prouting, president of the Union.

The chairman ssyd the carpenters and ioiners were assembled to do honour o tho man who camo to their assistxnce when they most needed it. They vero placed in a unique position some -imo back when through force of circumstances they were compelled to take -.teps on their own behalf instead vi joining in with the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters. When they were placed in such a position that they had l o meet their fellow-workere, not as "ollow unionists but as opposed to them, hey needcoV'all the assistance they ould set in procuring from the Arbiration Court the award they were vorking under at tho present time. They could not haro got another man rho could have done for them what 'ho Hon. J. Barr had done. (Loud ap )lause.) He had always been on the r,ido of tho worker in his efforts ro obtain his just rights for hie labour Jut Mr Barr was just to both sides'•c tho employer as well as the worl t-r. It was through his efforts that the Canterbury Carpenters and and Joiners hao ecured an alteration in the obnoxionlward given to the trade in othe' places. The Canterbury Union were deerminod to fight tho matter to the litter end and they had succeeded in btainiiTur tho best award in the 3>onmion. They had to thank Mr B:?v ary sincerely for his efforts in obtain-

\g that award, and they assembled to give him some tangible expression of their gratitude for the assistance ho gave them when thoy needed it. On behalf of tho Union he had much pleasuro in handing to Mr Barr the key of a handsome oak roller-top desk. (Loud applause.) The health of the Hon. J. Barr was drunk with musical honours and cheers.

ADVICE TO UNIONISTS. In returning thanks, tho Hon. J. Barr said it was an unusual position for him to be in. He was more afc home in the Arbitration Court, but he feit very proud that night, because, as a man who had an awkward way of speaking his mind, he was likely to get more criticism than presents. He had not done anything more for the Canterbury Carpenters and Joiners than he would have done for any other trade union. He had spent much time and money in the study of fhe problems forcing themselves on the workers today, so that he could be of use to those calline on him. Ho had learned as much from the workers and in the. Conciliation Council and the Arbitration Court as an apprentice leaving his trade. He had learned that the "Best speeches were those that were sometimes left unspoken. . Hard solid facts rather than prepared speeches were wanted to prove cases before the Court. He had often found that in" arguing a case before tho Court there was an entire absence of facts and d<sta on the part of industrial workers. That, however, did not apr>ly to the Canterbury Cn--pnters and' Joiners. Good unionists should make a point of systematically recording facts and figures in connexion with their work, but how many did bo? The employer was always able to Dring convincing figures and data before the Court, and these were just what were- needed. The success of the Canter.ury Carpenters' and Joiners' Union in the Court show.cd that it was organised pronerly. and governed by officials who recognised the value of facts.

Mr Barr then quoted ugures to 6how how the wages of carpenters and joiners haa grauually increased to tne present rate of l_s per uay, and as_ed them how much further they expected to go. They must recognise the ract that they could not hope to receive, year in and year out, an increase in wages. It had taken them ten years to get an increase from xUs to 12s, and it might take them anotuer ten years to secure another penny. Their prosent rate of wages meant that they could purchase .a given amount of goods, but the future problem was to increase their purchasing power, and no "tub-thumping" and no revolution was going to do that. Cooperation was tho thing that seemed to bo neglected in this country. _ir. Barr quoted figures to show that in Britain working men received from their cooperative societies as much as three to four shillings' discount in the pound. In Christchurch, the Civil Service Association was able to put its members in the way of .receiving 10 to 25 per cent, discount in the £ on their purchases. The retailer was able to give that discount because the bulk of the population were paying full value for their goods. The workers should consider whether the time was ripe for instituting the co-operative movement in Now Zealand, so. as to get cotter value for their money and increase its purchasing power. _ L a&e-aided unemployment insurance was another problem to be considered. He asked them to remember that there were other things in unionism apart from mere increases in wages. Some of the young men should give the picture shows a holiday for a time, and take a more active part in the affairs of their unions.

Other toasts honoured were "Kindred Unions," 'Technical Education," "The President," "Tho Ladies." "Tho Reformers," and "The Press." A lengthy musical programme, including orchestral selections, songs, recitations, and instrumental items, was gone through.