TIMBER WORKERS.

Grey River Argus, 1 September 1927, Page 6

TIMBER WORKERS.

CRITICISM OF CONFERENCE. The conference of the Timber Workers’ Federation was held in the Trades Hall, Wellington, on August 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. The attendance at the conference was greater and more representative than has been the ease for some years, there being 13 delegates representing Auckland, North Wellington, Nelson, West Coast, Canterbury, Otago and Southland, also Taranaki. T. O ’Byrne (President of the Federation) presided over the Conference.

The improved attendance was apparently to two causes, one being the realisation by the Union that in order to be a more effective fighting force a closer co-operation is necessary, and secondly that in the interests of progress and efficiency a change was necessary' in the personnel of the Federation Executive. A pleasing feature cf the proceedings was the entire absence of domination by the said officialdom so obvious at previous conferences. Of this year’s representatives, seven were workers in the timber industry and the remaining six were paid secretaries or organisers. Remits wore submitted by five organisations, the aggregate being twenty-five.' These were bearing on industrial law, such as suggested amendments to Compensation Act, Arbitration Act, Bankruptcy Act, Public Health Act, Accommodation Act, Apprentices Act, and Macihnery Act, also the Labour Department’s laxity of administration. Dominion Award, imported timbers, Dominion unemployment, 0.8. U. for Dominion timber worker:), interchangeable ticket, and election of Federation officers by plebiscite vote. All the suggested amendments wore carried by conference and later these were brought under the notice of Hons. Coates and Anderson. Some matters were, these “heads” thought, not worthy of much consideration, but in other cases promises were given that certain amendments could be made. Hon. Coates gave it out that in tho Carmody (Inangahua Junction) case probably a compassionate allowance, equal to the ordinary amount of compensation would be made. Sick and Accident Insurance.—Minister Anderson was non-committal and said he was awaiting data from overseas. Regarding a reciprocal agreement in compensation matters with Tasmania, Hon. Anderson said the matter could be adjusted providing tho Tasmanian Government is agreeable. In connection with maladministration by Labour Department Inspectors, Mr Anderson contended that they were doing their work quite satisfactorily. Tho usual case was put for the reactionary timber tariff, and Hon. Coates said a duty will be imposed. The “heads” also promised to put the Compensation Act in order to provide fo» partial losses not at present provided for (such as partial loss of sight of one eye and partial loss of fingers less than joints). The six hour day was laughed at by the Ministers. Hon. Anderson said there was no possibility of getting wages claim closer than third place under the Bankruptcy Act. Tn replying, Hon. Anderson avoided reference to tho suggestion that two practical wood working machinists be appointed as Dominion Inspectors under the Machinery Act. Hon. Coates said the Government would consider the appointment of a Dominion Inspector under the Accommodation Act. After consultation with members of the N.Z. Workers’ Union and Freezers’ Union, it was decided to amend the yearly interchangeable ticket adopted at tho previous conference. The new ticket will operate from October Ist with a minimum charge (confined to one union) of £l, but if the ticket holder wants access into other branches, he must pay the extra 7/6. There is a considerable amount of squealing by unions over losses of a few pounds.since the interchangeable ticket was introduced, and it looks as though it will be a fair while before this scheme will bo working satisfactorily. A good job! The hoarding up of Union funds seems to be the whole ambition of many of these union secretaries. The 0.8. U. remit of this Union was promptly squashed by Turley and O’Byrne. A definite scheme was outlined, but some of the delegates scented danger and the remit was lost. Tho election of Federation officers by plebiscite, vote suggested by this union was promptly handed the KO. However, an amendment was carried which will be a vast improvement on the stupid system that has been in vogue for many years past. Dominion Unemployed. — This question was opened up and it was suggest rd that capitation fees be increased for the purpose of financing organisation through the Alliance of Labour. Tho mover of this motion did not know on what lines the Alliance was operating, so the matter was deferred till we got some information from the Alliance Secretary. However this desired information never reached the conference, and the question was side-track-ed. Dominion Award.— A committee of six was set up to finalise proposals in connection with the award in accordance with circulars sent out to unions last year. The matter did not reach finality, and the unions will be receiving the amended proposals for consideration within the next few weeks. Far too much time of the conference was taken up hy invading deputations from tho Sawmillers’ Federation, “Worker” Board, etc., and consequently matters during the final afternoon sitting were somewhat hurried. A request that Comrade Walsh be allowed to address the conference on matters of representation on N.Z. Worker Board was received by the Chairman, and he was granted the right to speak if time permitted. Conveniently it was found that there was no time. Roberts, Thorn and Fraser had much to say in appealing to unions to support the move for new “Worker” capital aiming at £15,000 over and above the £6OOO assets they are at present holding. As tho result of representations made to the Auckland Union, it is almost certain that they will return to the Federation fold after an absence of many years. Wellington Union, however, was deaf to ail entreaties and until the rank and file can remove the reactionary officials there is no hope of affiliation. To sum up, an atmosphere of constitu tional reformism at all times pervaded the sittings; the real militant worker was a conspicuous absentee.