MILLERTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 17 February 1933, Page 7

MILLERTON NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) At the Millerton Miners’ Union monthly meeting on February 10th, Mr W. Clark presided. A circular was read out from the Secretary of the United Mine Workers in connection with the recent conference held in Auckland, between the coal owners and the North Island representatives. After over two days discussion between the two parties an agreement was reached to continue the present wages aud conditions for another 12 months, with one alteration, “that the back Saturday shift be a six and ahalf hours.’’ The agreement was to have terminated at the end of this month, and the mine owners had served the North Island Unions with proposals for the new agreement. A reduction in the rates of pay was one of the main clauses, it being proposed that the scale relating to wage workers should be reduced by 5 per cent., and that piece workers by 74 per cent. The Union made counter proposals with a view to increasing the present rates of wages by 10 per cent., and also for the alterations of various clauses pertaining to working conditions. At the conference, the question was discussed in detail. The Miners’ representatives had finally decided to accept the continuation of the old agreement, and would recommend the men to accept same. After some discussion a vote was taken and the Millerton Union were unanimously in favour of the acceptance. Correspondence was next read from the Unemployed Workers asking the miners to co-operate with them in a protest meeting, which they were trying to organise in Westport, on account of their short allocations. As the wording of this letter did not seem clear to the union executive, it was decided unanimously not to participate in the meeting. A circular from the National Secretary called for nominations for the position of National President, as the position still remained vacant. The next matter was that of the paying of the compensations cases by the National Council. This was well discussed and different opinions were given. One member stated that this Fund was paid into by the members of the miners’ organisations, and therefore the members should have the right to take cases to court or even to appeal against former decisions' if they thought justice had not been received, and all expenses should be paid out of the National Compensation Fund. A circular from the Grey Biver Argus was next read out, also the Manager’s report. A circular from the New Zealand Labour Party asked that Unions appoint a delegate. Mr. W. Clark, Miners’ President, being the only nominee, was elected. The District Council balance-sheet Was dealt with. A motion that it be accepted was carried. A complaint in writing was read out by one of the members in regard to the sharing of work on the days the miners are idle. After a lot of discussion, it was decided that a deputation of the Union officials interview the management and try to arrange to have the work shared between the truckers and shiftmen. Intermittent work for the miners was next discussed, and it was resolved that the Secretary wire Mr. Holland and the Minister of Employment re intermittent work for the miners of Millerton. Knowing that the majority of the miners on the Hill have worked only eight days for a period of about eight weeks’, all must agree that they arc justly entitled to . receive some remuneration. After all. on one day’s work per week it is practically impossible for any worker and his family to exist. The West Coast Miners’ agreement has terminated, and now proposals can be expected from the mine owners. If these are to be in line with the North Island miners terms, one cannot state, but one point workers must not overlook, and that is that the miners’ ranks are still divided. This in itself leaves an incentive for the boss to attack. Until the miners of this country organise along the correct lines of rank ami file control, demanding a national agreement for the United Mine Workers. this weakness shall always prevail.

The annual meetyig of the Millerton Medical Association took place on Sunday, February 12th. 'The balance sheet was discussed and passed as satisfactory. Officers’ salaries were discussed, and it was decided by the members present that they remain as they were: Secretary £2O, Treasurer £5, ami President £2 10/-. Nominations were called for Secretary, and Mr. R. Finlayson, being the only nominee, was re-elected. To the positions of treasurer and president. Messrs T. Bligh and T. Birchfield were elected. Three trustees were called next, and the following members were nominated: Messrs S. Shaw, D. Murray, F. Gibson, E. Simenson, R. Harker and IT. Harden. The voting was then taken. The following were successful: Messrs IlHarden (26), S. Shaw (20), and I). Murray (21). For three committeemen the following members were nominated: Messrs F. Gibson. IT. Stanley. G. White. J. McKinlay. E. Simenson. ’The vote resulted in the members appointed being: Messrs G. McKinlay (23 votes), H. Stanley (10). F. Gibson (18). Three members were nominated for the two positions as auditors, the voting being: Messrs T. Bcverland (28), Davis (17), G. Wpliams (16). The Millerton Children’s Pidnic which was to have taken place at Birchfield on Saturday last, did not eventuate owing to adverse w-eathe'-conditions. The committee were com polled to carry on, through having all the foodstuffs ordered for that day, so they decided to hold the picnic at Peggie’s Hall. The children were supplied with tea. cakes and sandwiches and a free picture entertainment. The local Pigeon Club held their first Young Bird race of the season from Glenhope on Saturday, when about 50 birds were'sent away to compete. Considering the weather that prevailed, the race was flown n very good time. The pigeons were liber-

ated about 3.55 p.m., and the first three birds home (docked in about 5.40 o’clock, taking about Ihr. -15 min. to flv the 39 miles. The results are as follows: —G. Swan Ist and 2nd; (velocity of first bird, 643.6 yards per min ute; 2nd bird, 642.6 yds); T. Watson 3rd (velocity 637.2 yds per min.). Next race is from Glenhope also The local Unemployed Workers held their usual meeting at Peggie’s Hall on February 7th. Correspondence was dealt with. A delegation was appointed to interview the Stockton Domain Board re the transfer of a number of men to commence work on the garden plots. It was resolved that the Unemployed Workers’ Committee get in touch with the local bodies who engage unemployed labour in regard to the taking of men from one local body to another, and that they urge that the fairest method would be to ballot

ou- It was decided that in future a committee meeting be called when the secretary receives any complaints, and that the past secretary’s actions re A. Cairns case, be endorsed. A motion was also carried that the secretary visit the Buller Hospital Board requesting them to discontinue stopping 1/- from the Unemployed Workers pay until full allocations are received and that the protest meeting re sh- rt allocations be left in abeyance.

The Unemployed Workers of New Zealand are finding it harder to exist every day, with the rate of exchange going up, and the prices of commodities also increasing, thus making the 1 urden still greater for those unfortunates. The tendency is towards a still further reduction in the allocations. We read in the papers of the expenditure of the unemployment funds exceeding the income; so there is only one way out for the ruling class, and that is higher taxation on the employed workers and smaller allocations for the unemployed. The dole scheme Ims been spoken of prominently these last few weeks. Therefore the unemployed want to keep their eyes open and view the effects of it when it is put into force. Workers ought to realize that if this dole scheme is put into operation, it must therefore lie suitable to one class, and if such is the ease it must be to the detriment of the working class.