LOCAL BODIES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 123, 17 February 1921, Page 9

LOCAL BODIES

CONFERENCE OF OFFICERS DECISION TO FORM A GUILD

A Dominion conference of local bodies officers was held at the Dominion Farmers’ Institute yesterday, when there was a good attendance of delegates, representing a large number of local body staffs throughout ■ the Dominion. Several districts unable to be represented sent telegrams and letters supporting tho proposal. Mr. P. Skoglund, town clerk, Stratford-Ohaumau, of the Tara-naki-Wanganui Committee which convened the conference, was elected chairman of the conference. Mr. T. Lloyd (Inglewood) acting as secretary. The chairman, in opening the conference, welcomed the delegates, and stated that local body officers were now becoming alive to their position. They had perhaps suffered more than any other section of the middle class salaried men, who were being crushed between Capital and Labour forces. Government Departments had been granted increases and bonuses, but few local bodie.s had considered their staffs in the same way. Tho movement —which had started in Taranaki through Mr. Lloyd taking the matter up—was not antagonistic to the local bodies nor in any way against them—rather they aimed to co-operate with them and give greater efficiency. They wished to provide better service, but they did ask fair remuneration for their work and its responsibilities. It whs not a "union" movement in any sense, and they dissociated themselves from anything that savoured of unionism, whether they called it guild or association, it was to help the locrtl bodies as well as themselves. Ho invited Mr. H. P. Mourant, of ths Bank Officers' Guild, to address them on tho guild movement, that was practically new to New Zealand, as ho was fully in touch with it

Mr. Mourant then addressed the conference, and gave a clear and lucid explanation of tho guild movement. He Raid that in early days trades and professions were protected by "guilds,’' which controlled and maintained the dignity of such trades and professions. In order to help themselves and the community it was desirable to bring come of those. early methods and principle* into present-day conditions —to teach the dignity of work. It was not a "union" movement as such was generally understood. It was well known —and he did not wish to throw any stones at unions ■—that some in the forefront of unionism were not doing ihe movement or the workmen any good. (Hear, hear.) Recent legislation gave guilds the right to appear in any Conciliation Council or Arbitration Court, thus showing they were recognised. They had met with strong opposition from the unions, but the guild movement was receiving considerable attention from the hotter •'lasses of the community. They did not simply hold out their hands for more money, but they asked, and at the same time gave, and employers were now recognising their desire to assist, and were reciprocating that assistance to the mutual advantage and happiness of .both. Ho expressed the hope lhe conference would follow the "guild” principles, and intimated that there would coon be a federation of guilds, and he hoped to them have their own guild hall. He added that the Government was recognising tho value of the guild movement, and was ready to assist them. Employers recognised a "guild" wns preferable to a "union," as the first offered assistance and co-operation, but' the unions aimed nt control. Mr. Mourant replied to a number of questions, and gave some valuable suggestions and advice, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to him. Tho chairman read a- letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs expressing his approval of the proposal to form an association or guild. The conference, then decided that an organisation be formed —to bo called tho New Zealand Ixical Body Officers’ Guild. The objects were then outlined and approved, and the provisional committee from Taranaki that had convened the conference was appointed to continue acting pending the appointment of an executive committee.

The chairman, in bringing forward the appointment of secretary, stated that the movement had been brought about bv the energies of Mr. Lloyd, who had shown a whole-hearted interest for their mutual welfare. He would like the conference to invite Mr. Lloyd to maintain the secretarial daties. Other delegates agreed. Mr. Lloyd, in thanking tho conference for their invitation, stated that Ms experiences during, tta past few months had only emphasised to him the need of such an organisation to’ protect their interests alone.

Delegates reriorted a very lively interest in their respeclive districts, showing that there was a keen desire for n guild or association, and offering strong support throughout tho Dominion. The conference concluded with a vote of thanks to the c.hairman.