LABOUR NOTES.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16068, 26 November 1917, Page 8

LABOUR NOTES.

The Canterbury Genoral Labourers' Union at its last meeting, carried a motion of appreciation of tho services of tho late Mr J'. R. Triggs, as Conciliation Commissioner, and 'the secretary of the Union was instructed to send a letter of condolence to the widow and daughter of the deceased gentleman.

The high cost of living was a sub-, ject which received consideration at the last meeting of the Canterbury General Labourers' Union, and it was decided to approach tho employers for a further rise in wagos. The Canterbury Drivers' Union uiei recently, when it was decided- to send letter to the secretary of the Drivers' Federation, asking him to approach tha employers for an increase of wages, Mr F. EUis, socretai7 of the Foderation of Unions, has tendered his resignation of tho position, and is to take up the secretaryship of three existing Canterbury Freezing Vv orks* Unions. It is. understood that three unions will ultimately amalgamate and form one union. Mr Ellis has been secretary of tho Federation for eight years, and assistant-secretary for one year. During that period he has been secretary of eighteen unions, and two Dominion federations. He has attended all trade and other labour conferences that have been held in Now> Zealand during Ids term of office, and done a very con* siderable amount of work, diroctly and indirectly, in forming and amalgamating unions, having been, in fact, tho first to take advantage or section 20 of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, which provides for tho amalgamation of unions in one body. .Applications have been invited for Mf Ellis's position, and it is understood that a successor will be appointed on December 15th.

Members of the Workers' Educational Association together with their friends, journeyea .by special car to - the Canterbury Aviation Company's flying grounds, at Sockburn, on Saturday afternoon.' The party, numbering some 150, were met by the chairman of directors, Mr H. F, Wigram, and were very courteously shown over th« premises by tho instructor, Mr Hill, The -whole establishment was thrown open to the visitors, and during th# afternoon Mr Hill aelighted them "by making a flight in the machine. Ho "cartwheeled," v volplaned, and, in general, gave a splendid exhibition. Before the departure of tho party, Mr E. J. Howard, on behalf of the students of the W.E.A., proposed that a hearty vote of thanks should be' accorded to Mr Wigram, Mr Hill, and his assistants, for the splendid demon, stration, and said that he looked for*, ward to tho time when the flying machine ■ would be of great commercial value, and even more useful, in days of peace than at the present time. Hi® motion iras carried amid hearty cheers, after which Messrs Wigram and Hill suitably replied. '••••■•