FREE ASSOCIATION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 10093, 6 September 1895, Page 4

FREE ASSOCIATION.

The fifth annual meeting of the Free Association of Employers aud Workmfin was Itslii at the Cuambe,r of Commerce rooms yesterday afternoon. Present — Messrs Colemah (chairman), Puflett, G. M. Clark, Gondy, P. Dinwiddle, Wenley, Craig, Brown, Knowlen, Edwarda, M'Vay, F. C. Fulton. Kettle, E. H. Willlnms, R'nnland. J. Sandtmann, Captain Tcdd, Ciotain Davidson, Cartwrlght BrOwn, J. I, Cito, C. Von Qaasti, ond T, R. Moore. The report and b ilance Bheeti were read (is follows) and e'l opted t--BEPOItT. In rjresenling the reDOrt for tho term endiog the filth yenr of the existence of the association, your council have again to congratulate its inetabers on the peacefal relations that have existed between employers and workmen throughout the district. The existence of the association, with its kindred societies at the various centres in the colony, has had a most beneficial effect in showing workmen that trades unionism and freedom of contract can go htnd in hand to the mutual benefit of employers and workmen alike, as since the inauguration or these associations the colony has onfoyed perfect immunity from trade disturbances of any kind. Your counoil has noted with satisfaction many complimentary remarks from various soWces referring to tha association, especially one from Southampton, Kngland, where a similar institution exists, and lastly from the Federated Employers Union 6t Queensland, both associations having requested copies of rules. &C.i which have beon duly Bupplled and all f Urthdr Information at our disposal: The niimber of workmen enrolled during the year was 28. Three members died and one resigned, leaving a total membership of 2UO at present on the register. During the year your counoil had under consideration the Arbitration and Conciliation Aot. which was brought before Parliament by the Government, and were moßt anxious to take advantage of its provisions, but after consultation with their solicitor, who gave a lengthy opinion on the matter to the effect that, Deing an association of employers and workmen, it could not reglßter under the Act, your counoil had therefore to abandon the idea. In thia matter your council worked In concert with the Canterbury Employers' Association, to whom was sent a copy of our solicitor's opinion, and they, too, found themselves in the same position, and took no further action. Your council desires to acknowledge cordial relations with tho Pastoralists' Association of New South Wales, also the Canterbury and Auokland Employers' Associations, with best wishes for thelt future welfare. The labor bureau attached to tho Association provided employment for 170 workpeople during tho year, viz. : 53 laborers and station hands. 31 cooks, 16 shepherds, 15 ploughmen, 1 blacksmith, 2 wool classers, 1 drover, i bullock drivers, 0 gardeners, 12 married couples, and 21 lads. During the greater part of the year work was very scarce, otherwise a better result would be shown, as applications were numerous from all classes. The applications for relief from the accident fund have fortunately been very light during the year. The balance-sheet shows full dotailß of receipts and expenditure, nnd will be found attached. In retiring your council expreaaos a hops that the good feeling existing between omployers I and workmen will continue uninterrupted I during tho coming year and that the new council will have a peaceful reign. BALANCE SHEET. Receipts— To balanco brought forward from last year, £563 4s 7d; subscriptions, £237 23; interest on fixed deposits, £22 103 ; accident fund (donation), £2 2s ; bank current account, overdraft, £35 9s 8d ; unpresented cheque, £3. Total, £«8583 3d. Expenditure — By accident fond, payments made, £39 2s 3d ; advertising, £30 4s ; stationery, £i Us; secretary's salary, £l2s ; postages, tel'grams, and sundries, £19 Gs ; auditors' fees, £2 2s: rent of office, £15; cash on fixed deposit, 12 months, £650. Total, £835 8s 3d. The Chairman, in moving tbe adoption of the report, referred to the regret he felt at) the absence of Mr Nelson, president of the association, who was unavoidably absent through business in Wellington, He went on to speak of the satisfaction he felt at that clause ia the report which spoke of the greetings received from kindred societies. When in England recently the chairman of the London Conciliation Board had complimented him upon the constitution of the body. He thought) tbat clause in the report) referring to 170 people having received benefit tbrongb the association was a good result of the year's work. The association had bsen formed for certain purposes, in wblcti it had been undoubtedly successful, nnd if the occasion unhappily arose he felt that thn association was strong enough to again perform good work. ELECTION. Ofiiiers for the ensuing term were eleoted as follows:— President, Mr W. Nelson ; vice-president, Mr J. H. Coleman ; hon. treasurer, Mr N. Kettle ; connoii, Messrs John Bennett, J. V. Brown, C. E. Beethim, John Beutson, Cartwright Brown, W. A. Couper, T. M. Chambers, C. Cranby, John Craig, P. Oinwiddie, A. D-ivldnon (Captain), Edward 'Evanß, F. C. Fulton, J, K. Goudy, W. T. Irvine, N. Kettle, E W. Knowlce, G. M. Morrlx, K D. D. M'Lean, P. S. M'Laon, A. M'Hurdy. John M'Vay, R. Poflett, G. Ryrner. W. Shrimpton. W. H. Smith, G S. V. Wenley, W. J, Wlllcocka, H. Williams, J JV. William*. A vote of thinks to the retiring officers aad the chairman coaolnded the proceedings.