TIMBER WORKERS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 653, 2 November 1909, Page 6

TIMBER WORKERS.

.: PEDEEATION OF UNIONS. ' Delegates from all parts of .the Dominion are attending the conference* of the Sew • Zealand Sawmill. Workers' Unions, - ..which opened- at the Trades Hall yesterday. . .The following are the. names of the delegates':—Auckland", Mr.'Phelan; . Wellington, Meters. Wallace and J. K. Lyons; Westland, Mr. J, Jackeonj .Canterbury, Messrti. Deans and J. Wright;. South Canterbury, Mr. Bicknell; Otago, Messrs. 1 Garbut and Tnffeii;' Southland, Messris..; J. Alswater and T. O'Byrae.. Mr. Alswater was unanimously , electcd president of the conference, and Mr. Tuff en secretary, Mr. J. Stallworthy, M.P., was present during part of , the day. :-. ■■'_. : V:' Mr. Lyons, in welcoming the delegates to' Wellington,' referred to the late hard times through which sawmill workers- had . passed,, and said that better times now appeared to be coming. The Timber Commission had, he thought, done very little good. The unions in ! the country districts : were unfortunately apathetic, and did not fully realise the advan-tages-of organisation. ,/ .'! The conference then proceeded to discuss the proposed federation •of the unions of sawmill workers throughout-'-the Dominion. This Was regarded-as the main-purpose o' .the conference, and. most of the delegates spoke in favour, of the general principle, -which was unanimously affirmed by resolution. . -v, A federal' constitution suggested by' the Otago Union--was discussed clause by clause. It'was decided. to. call the organisation "The, New 1 Zealand Sawmills', Timber. Yards,' and General Woodworkers' Employees'' Association." The constitution, as adopted, will. be 'submitted to the constituent unions for endorsement. A-resolution was earned affirming the principle of unconditional 1 statutory preference to unionists. ' !Ssreral speakers.: urged the ' principle of weekly payment'of- wages, but no resolution' was passed, as it was. pointed out that the Wages' Protection Act already provided for such payment.. It was disserted by speakers that the retention of wages of -casual _ hands for a .month frequently caused hardship arid brought 'families'; to' the verge of ..starvation. ■ The need Vfor.. uniformity, in' the, hours, of worinas 'in allied trades was'discussed,: it being generally agreed that redaction of hours in the timber .trade had been followed by increased output.'.--The conference affirmed the principle of a; 14 hours' week. ■ - ,■ ■ •A 'resolution' was unanimously passed! urging the. Government to proceed with the afforestation of-iaste .lands, i ''~ J, . The conference, yrill.'sit again ;io-day. .