COOK AND WAITERS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1279, 7 November 1911, Page 5

COOK AND WAITERS.

EXTENDING THE UNION'S ACTIVITIES. 1 A CONFERENCE. Tho scope of the Wellington Coo Us' aiul Waiters' Union, which was originally confined to this city, has been extended within tho last four months to cover the towns of Wanganui, Palmerstoii, Hastings, and Napier. A eouierenco of delegates representing the branches of tlio now organisation opened in the Trades Hall yesterday. Tlicso present were: Mr. A. Telfer (general president), and the vice-presidents and other members of the main committee; Messrs. G. Thornton, president, and H. Houghton, secretary (Napier); G. Cross, president, and G. Love, secretary (Wangnmii); W. Wright, secretary (Palmorston); and E. J. Carey (general secretary). Mr. Telfer, in welcoming the delegates, said it was a matter of mutual congratulation that tho organisation could hold such a conference. Three years previously, when tlio Court refused to grant the union a continuation of preference in tho award then made, it was said that tho union Avon Id fizzle out. The balancesheet to be presented would show that the union was still active and that extensive country organisation had been carried out. Loyalty wa.s necessary in order that still more might bo done. A thing to be fought for was the legislative enactment of the principle that all employees fhould have one day's rest in seven. There was urgent need for an award covering restaurants and private hotels throughout the Wellington industrial district. Tho establishment of the country unions and the obtaining of an award was mainly duo to the energy of .their general secretary (Mr. Carey), who deserved tho congratulations, not only of tho conference, but of employees in tho trade throughout tho country. Tho financial statement presented to tlio conference showed the position of the union for the half-year. In Wellington 11!) male members and 21 women workers had been admitted to tho organisation, and 31 members had been admitted from other unions. Contributions for the period constituted a record, and totalled ,£lB5 Cs. 3d. In tho country districts Napier showed most progress. Since the formation of tho union there in July 108 men, 65 women, and nine members from other unions had been admitted. Kcceipts in Napier from all sources totalled ,£59 12s. (id. In I'alinerston, where (he organisation was established some weeks later, 53 men and 47 women had joined the branch, and receipts amounted to .€25 3s. Od. In Wanganui, 57 men and 27 women had. been admitted, and tho income totalled ,£l9 os. Od. A considerable sum had been spent throughout tho district in country organising. The half-year started with a bank balance of about JCI7B, and ended with a credit balance of ,£153 in bank and .£4O in hand. Visiting officials reported upon the operations of the new organisation in the country. In cffcct it was stated that in tho main tho new awards were being well observed. In one or two placcs a few of tho old employees had refused to join the union. Tlio position in regard to registry offices was discussed at some length. Mr. Carey stated that, roughly, .fiICOO a year was being paid by out-of-work hotel "employees to registry offices in the Wellington industrial district. This was necessarily a heavy tax upon workers in the trade. Since tho country branches had been established, more of the employees had been engaged through tlio union, but a lot yet remained to be done. It was decided to back up the Labour party's demand for the statutory abolition of registry offices', and, in tho meantime, to press the matter upon Parliamentary candidates during election time. The Napier officials opened a discussion on the subject of a weekly day of rest. They reported that in Napier probably the hotel workers had more holidays than in other towns, but they wero a long way off a whole day's holiday in seven. It v.-as decided to submit this question also to the Parliamentary candidates, and to organife a united agitation for tho enactment of the principle. The refusal of the Arbitration Court to grant an award for tho private hotels in Auckland was discussed at length. Delegates protested that because of the action of the Court nnd tho failure of tho Legislature to remedy tho position, a micst unsatisfactory sin to of affair,s existed. It was decided to ask the Labour Department to hurry oil the test caso to determine the position of the employees in tho large establishments referred to, and tp ask, if tiie caso went against the union, for amending legislation to remedy the matter. It was stated to the conference by the visiting delegates that there was a demand by the workers and by some of the restaurant-keepers themselves, for an award for tho country districts. It was urged upon the main executive that a step in that direction should bo taken immediately. Some discussion took place as to the advisability of approaching the Court as at present constituted. One delegate urged that it would bo wiso to wait until a change had been made in tho constitution of the Court, but the prevailing opinion was that at least tho advantage obtained in Wellington would be extended to the country districts. It was decided to recommend the main union to apply for a new award at the beginning of tho New Year. It was agreed that delegates to the conference should be allowed train fare, 10s. psr day for hotel expenses, nnd 10s. per day for loss, of wages. The conference will meet again this morning to finish the entire business, and in the afternoon delegates will wait upon the Labour Denartment to ask its co-operation in filling vacancies in tho country hotels, nnd to urge the expediting of the test case against the private hotel-keepers in Auckland. Delegates will also ask for an investigation as to the alleged non-observance of the Shops and' Offices Act by private hotelkeepers in towns wliero no branches of the union are located.