OPERATIVE BUTCHERS’ UNION

Evening Star, Issue 22683, 24 June 1937, Page 6

OPERATIVE BUTCHERS’ UNION

ANNUAL MEETING AND SOCIAL The annual meeting of the Dunedin and Suburban Operative Butchers’ Union, was held in the Returned Soldiers’ Club Rooms on Monday last. The president, Mr Nicholson, presided over a large attendance. The annual report and balance sheet showed the union to be in a*very prosperous position. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr H. T. Nicholson (re-elected); vice-president, Mr A. H. Qvam; treasurer, Mr A. Orr (re-elected) ; auditors, Messrs Kennedy and Christie; trustees, Messrs D. (Bain andH.T. Nicholson; committee—Messrs Kirkham, D. Bain, Kennedy, Roberts, and Broad; Social Committee—Messrs Kirkham, Qvara,- Broad, Young, Marks, Edwards, and Kennedy.

At tho conclusion of the main business an adjournment was mad© to the supper rooms, where a social evening was held, the members being joined by Master Butchers’ Association. After the “ Loyal Toast ” had been honoured, Mr Qvam, in proposing a toast to the master butchers, said that amongst some workers the employers were looked upon as the natural enemy of the employees. He was pleased to say that he had not found that the case with the Master Butchers. Tho masters had always met them in a most fair spirit. Mr Henderson, in responding to the toast, said that he understood that the main object of the meeting was to do honour to the retiring secretary, Mr B. C. Wilson, who had held that office for 15 years. On behalf of the Master (Butchers he wished to say that they appreciated the courtesy and tact which had always been shown them by the retiring secretary. They all regretted very much that the time had come for his retirement, and sincerely trusted that he would be yet spared for many years to be able to enjoy his well-earned rest.

Mr A. Orr, in proposing the toast of tho retiring secretary, said that 15 years ago, when Mr Wilson was appointed, the union was in a very low.

state. The secretary had had a hard time in trying to build up the union. At times it was difficult to get a quorum, but owing to the secretary’s splendind work the union was now in a most prosperous condition. The president, Mr Nicholson, in presenting the secretary with an easy chair, suitably inscribed, commended Mr Wilson upon the highly capable manner in which he had carried out his duties. The toast of the “ Butchers’ Union ” was proposed by Mr R. Varcoe, who, in the course of his remarks, referred to the good that had been done by the union on behalf of the members. He paid a tribute to the retiring secretary’s fine work, and congratulated Mr Riach on being appointed successor to Mr Wilson. He considered that the union had done the right thing in appointing one of their own members to the position. Mr Wilson, in responding, thanked the members for their presence and their good wishes. All disputes in his time had been settled by conciliation. The Master Butchers had always met them in a fair spirit. He thanked the members of the union for the consideration and respect that they had always shown him, and he also expressed his appreciation to the Master Butchers for the courteous manner in which they had always met him. He also wished to express his thanks to Mr Mirams, secretary of the Master Butchers’ Union. The toast of the newly-appointed secretary, Mr Riach, was given by Mr Bain and responded to by Mr Riach, who said that he had to thank them for the honour that they had conferred on him.