TIMBER WORKERS.

Grey River Argus, 14 May 1929, Page 6

TIMBER WORKERS.

Executive Meeting. The Executive of the Westland Timber Workers’ Union met on Saturday last, the following members being present: Messrs B. Topp (President), J. Doyle, T. Growcott, D. Faris, A. Galbraith, J. Rooney and J. Willis, it w'u unanimously agreed to ask Mr J. Flaherty to accept ,a position on the Executive for the balance of the year, in place of Mr 11. McGrath, who has resigned. A long discussion took place re the importation of foreign timbers, as the result of a letter from the Federation. It was remarked that, as was generally known, unanimous support was' given by the Union to the movement against the importation of foreign timbers, either rough, sawn, or doors and sashes of any description, and this mat'er i s to be fully discussed at the Federation Conference which will be held at an early date. As the matter of importation was brought up in a letter sent to the Federation by the /Auckland Uniort, which is not affiliated to the Federation, it was further decided that no correspondence from the Auckland Union be treated officially until that Union re-affiliated with tie Federation.

A further appeal from the Auckland Stone. Masons’ Union for assistance was left over on account of the joint pppeal being made on behalf of Australian comrades in the mills and mines It was unanimously decided that the Secretary procure official lists and send these to all mili? 3 appealing for assistance, and asking all workers to contribute one shilling per week to the jo ; nt appeal made by the Alliance of Labour on behalf of the Australian timber workers and miners. It was decided to send a ttrong resolution to the Prime Minister protesting against the immigration of workers, particularly boys, who are being used for the purpose of providing cheap labour for the farming community, thereby creating a larger army of unemployed.

The Secretary reported the following matte’s: The Lambton Timbers Ltd., of Kokatahi, were sued by the machinery department, and wore fined for a breach of the Machinery Act, in having a boiler in use without the regidation covering over the gauge glass. Tn *his ma ter, a worker lost an eve as a result of the glass breaking. The Labour Department also took action, for the second time, against the above company for not paying wares in ac-

rordani’e wit’i the awa”d. and a. small fine wps imnosed. At the s* me mill something like £2OO in back wages owing to the mon was being dealt wi'h inr the Sccretarv. During last week e hold-up of timber produced by this firm occur ed at Hokitika until certain wages were paid. Tt was anticipated that this firm would be placed on a better foo'ing, but all workers were definitely urged to see that the award r- strictly adhered, to in regard to conditions of work. A dispute of long landing into a. stoppage at Mawheraiti sawmill last month, over

he matter of pays- twice monthly, and one day’s stoppage took place. The employer <rt once got the Labour Do-pa-'merit Inspector to go into the matter, p.nd to the credit of the majority

ef the men. the princip’e of pays ‘■w’eo monthly was adhered to. After a dreussion with the men concerned bv the Secretary, a few davs were allowed to put things in o’der, and the Secretary felt sure that the award would be strictly carried out in the future. A number of compensation claims were handled and satisfactorily de°lt w’th. and two or three claims will be fina’lv dealt with by the Arbitration Court at Fs sittings on the Coast next month. A dispute occurred between B-yan and Bowater, sawmilleqs. of Westport, and their bushmen, and as this firm had not eomnlied wi'fi the award, in connection with p-1 contract : n writing, it was decided to take action against the firm for a breach of the award.

Australian Im’ustrial Appeal Delegates from a number of unions me. at the Lyceum Hall on Saturday : fternoon last, and were briefly ad dressed by Me sis J. M. Baddeley, M.L.A., and A. Knight. M.L.A., the delegates who are making a joint appeal for funds for the Australian timber workers- and miners. At the conclusion of the addresses, it was decided to set up a Committee for the purpose of raising funds locally. Messrs F. Turley and J. Goodall were elected to he committee, with power to add to their number. Any funds ■ent in to either Mr Goodall or Mr Turley wi l be acknowledged in t iese columns.