WATERSIDE WORKERS

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15460, 13 December 1915, Page 10

WATERSIDE WORKERS

THE WELLINGTON" CONFERENCE

WORK REVIEWED

The conference of waterside workers, which was held at Wellington last week, concluded on Saturday. Tiio secretary of the Lytreiton Union ('Mr W..Agar). who. with Mr .J. Flood, president, represented that body, returned by yesterday's ferry steamer, and mad,-, the following statement to a ;, Pre»s" importer:—The eonierence. in Mr Agar's opinion, was thoroughly successful. Thcro wore present nineteen delegates, representing twelve unions, and those unrepresented (principally on account of lack of funds) were expected to join at an early date, as a result of the work done, at the eonte re rice. Mr Agar thought it co':ld justly be claimed that tho Whole of the waterside workers in the Dominion were again consolidated into one body. The ('(inference did not at first proceed as amicably as it might have done, this being in a large measure, if not wholly, due to the feelings existing among the northern dolegates. particularly those representing Auckland, but ultimately an understand,ng wa«i arrived at. and good feeling restored, resulting in some good debates. Summixl tip in a few words, the conference resulted in the resurrection of the old Waterside Workers' Federation (which was in existence prior to the Federation of Labour), and there seemed little room for doubting that good results would follow. The headquarters of the Federation had been fixed at Wellington. and the executive appointed was representative, and able to voice the feelings of their unions. The question of wages was 1 hen mentioned, Mr Agar intimating that- nuicli time had been occimied in a discussion of the, subject. The increases tli.it had occurred in Ibe cost of living <luring the past, four years led to an expression of opinion that tho watersiders were justified in endeavouring to better their lot. A committee was set up to consider the matter, and a tabulated and amended scale; of proposals would shortly be sent to the employers, it being hoped that during the coming months a satisfactory conference would bo hold between the employers and representatives of the unions. Mr Agar, continuing, saidthat had conditions remained normal'he did not think the men would have pressed for any increase, but in view of the prcisent. state of affairs they felt that they were entitled to better conditions. Tt should also not be over, looked that in some cases the present award had expired, and he pointed out that the agreements under which tlie men were working were initial ones, ratified only by the Arbitration Court, therefore it was considered only right that they .should now be superseded.

With reirard to the recent rumours of an impending .strike. Mr Agar stated that it had undoubtedly originated from some irresponsible persons. The matter had been discussed unofficially, the delegates dissociating themselves with it.

Another,decision arrived at was the proposal that a plebiscite should be taken of all unions before tho executive con Id decide on any matter of vital importance to tho welfare of the unions and those who depended upon the water-front for a living. The conference was praetieallv unanimous in reuard to this, and the public could rest assured that it would not, be left to a. email body of workers to make a final decision on such matters. Jt was also decided that future agreements should be strictly in accordance with the Arbitration Court.