SHEARERS & PREMIER

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 118, 20 May 1914, Page 2

SHEARERS & PREMIER

COMPLAINTS CONCERNING A DEPUTATION MR. MASSEY'S CONDUCT CRITICISED. The Sheavers' Conference, which commenced yesterday week, brought its deliberations to a conclusion last evening, after transacting a large amount of business. The official report of yesterday's pro^ ceedings was supplied last night. It states that the conference resolved unanij mously that the Shearers' Association take steps to form an amalgamation with all the rural workers' unions in New Zealand, and that a ballot of the members be takeh this season to bring about this amalgamation. " WE DON'T INTEND TO CHASE HIM." After the luncheon adjournment, Mr. Laracy (general secretary) reported that about 11 a.m. ho had rung up Mr. Massey's private secretary and asked what time it would be convenient for the shearers' deputation to wait upon Mr. Massey that afternoon, as had been arranged. The reply was that Mr. Massey could not meet the shearers' deputation. Mr., Laracy said he had reminded the private secretary that a definite promise to meet the deputation that afternoon had been given, and that the Southern delegates had waited in Wellington for the purpose, and the shearers certainly expected the Minister to fulfil his promise to meet them that afternoon. Ultimately the private secre* tary had said that he would ring up the conference later in the day. He (Mr. Laracy) had rung up the private secretary about 11 o'clock, and had this conversation, and so far no telephonic message had been received. He would like the conference to give him instructions. "Apparently," continued Mr. Laracy, " Mr. Massey is not too anxious to meet the shearers. If he is afraid to meet us, wo don't intend to chase him. He has had every opportunity of receiving our deputation, and I am in favour of treating him now with the contempt that his attitude deserves. If he cannot meet us with courtesy, we certainly have no call to humble ourselves before him, and I take it that we are not going to do it. A most definite arrangement was made yesterday that we would be given a ! hearing this afternoon on various matters connected with the welfare of our organisation. We were told that Mr. Massey could not meet us this morning, but would do so in the afternoon. Now we are practically up against an absolute refusal. I propose that if we do not receive the promised ring on the telephono this afternoon we take no further steps in the matter." Mr. Bell then moved, and Mr. John- \ ston seconded : " That unless the shearers got a telephone ling from Mr. Massey this afternoon, no further steps be taken in the way of waiting U2>on him." Mr. Adair and Mr. Keogh thought the shearers should go and demand to be heard,' and express their opinions of "this backsliding." Mr. Laracy said they would get nothing in any case from Mr. Massey. Mr. Grayndler : " I don't see what we want to go to Mr. Massey for. If this report goes out to the workers of this country that the Hon. Mr. Massey, as Minister for Labour, had refused to hear the shearers' deputation after promising to do so, that will be far more beneficial to our association and to the workers generally than any of Mr. Massey's promises. They are only words, anyhow." Mr. Townsend expressed the hope that when Mr. Massey was out and the Liberals were in, the Liberals would pay- more attention to shearers' accommodation in the future than they had in the past. The motion was passed unanimously. No further communication was received from the Minister of Labour, and, therefore, no deputation, waited upon him. STRIKE LEADERS' EELEASE DEMANDED. Various general business matters were then dealt with. It was resolved that the Shearers' Association should be represented at the July Congress by Mr. Laracy. ■Various officers were elected, and the president and secretary were instructed to sign the shearers' agreement forthwith. In regard to the sedition cases it was unanimously resolved : ' " That this conlercnce deprecates the treatment given to Messrs. Holland, Young, and others m connection with the recent strike, expresses its sympathy with the wives and families of these men, and asks for the 'immediate release of the condemned men ; and that this conference also puts on record its condemnation of the obsolete and absurd sedition Jaws by means of which these men have been imprisoned, and urges the immediate repeal of these Jaws. The secretary reported that the membership of the association was now 4093, and said that lie confidently expected it to be 6000 by next year. A vote of condolence was passed to the wife and relatives of the late Mr. W. Spencer in their bereavement. Votes of thanks were carried by acclamation to the president, secretary, and the reporter. The president, after returning thanks, announced that he would not be standing for election as president again next year. He congratulated the delegates on having held the most successful conference in the history of the association.