CARPENTERS' AFFAIRS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 15, 19 January 1914, Page 2

CARPENTERS' AFFAIRS

CONFERENCE SUGGESTED. In the monthly report of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Join- j ers, the secretary (Mr. Ivor Hazell) re- ! fers to the Dominion award, the basis of which A|as recently agreed upon after a conference with the, employees. "The award," he writes, "has now become an established fact, and every district in New Zealand should commence at once to formulate its claims, according to the Otago award, which has just passed through the Arbitration Court. It will unquestionably meet with the approval of all our members. Tho cost of the Dominion award to the society to date is about £300— a reasonable expense, considering the .material advantage gained. It means about £1200 per week, or over £62,000 per year advance in wages to our members in New Zea^ land, and considerable benefits which we cannot fail to recognise! New awards mean practically new rules, and a set of rules must now be drawn up, otherwise the Dominion award will be of little use ; in fact, it will tell very much against us. We have so many sets of rules that they are a hindrance. Much time has been wasted, and it is absolutely necessary something should be done right early." With a view to placing the society on a sounder basis than at present, Mr. Hazell suggests that a conference of delegates from all branches be held not ™r™ June of this year to consider : (I) The registration of the Amalgamated bociety of Carpenters and Joiners as an Industrial Association of Workers j (2) the re-registration of the branches as branches of the Amalgamated Society ot Carpenters and Joiners' Industrial Association of Workers; (3) the formation ot branches of the Amalgamated Society oi. Y a f^ enters and Join ers, sufficient to establish an Industrial Association of Workers; (4) the framing of rules for the executive board to govern the branches and individual members, as set iorth in the general rnle book of tho Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners; (5) the framing of rules for benches to govern their members and officers, and showing of benefits ; (6) tha framing of rules for district councils *° control their respective districts; (7) the question of local organisers being engaged . for the period of three years instead of one year, as at present; (8) the question of New Zealand trade section members sitting on the executive board; (9) the question of political action, and what steps, if any, the branches intend to take to return our members to Parliament; (10) the question of organising the country districts; (II) the question of the 25 per cent as voted on; (12) the question of local autonomy; (13) remits of an important nature from branches, and general business.