CANTERBURY TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12422, 11 February 1901, Page 6

CANTERBURY TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION.

The half-yearly meeting of the Union was held on Saturday evening'in the Trades; Hall. There- was a good attendance, and Mr F. Y. Wilson (president) occupied the. chair. The report'and balance-sheet for the half-year were" read and adopted. The report of the Union's Board of Management, stated that during the year, work on the whole, had been plentiful for all brar.cnes of the trade; and although the expenditure had been heavy, it was mainly owing to the steps that had been taken for the benefit oi members, under the provisions of the Lon.ciliation and Arbitration Act. . So far,. the Union had got the wages for jobbing hands raised to a level with Wellington, and Duncdin. The dispute in. the country cases had yet to be dealt with by. the Court, as. also the linotype case, both of which had been before tho Board. The past halfvcwr had been notable by the fact "past half-year had been not-able by the tact that for the first time Labour Day was generally observed by the different trades, a trade procession taking place iii connection with sports. The Union took part m the procession with a working exhibit, and a creditable display was made. During the vear the membership had slightly increased, and the Board of Management thought.tbat when the award of the country cases was given they would have a further increase of numbers. The receipts for the year were £l3l Os lOd, and for the past half-year £7O 6s, while the expenditure for the year was £156 Is 2d, and for the half-year £9B 13s. During the half-year a painful duty devolved on the Board of Management, viz., fining live members for breaches of vital rules of the Union. Full enquiry was made into the matter, and fines ranging from 5s to £5 were inflicted. The Trades Council still continued progressive, and the thanks of the Union were due to Mr Thomas Wood for his courtesy and attention. During the half-year a deputation from the Council waited on the Board, and discussed the' questions of a Central Fund and a General Central Secretary. ■ These matters were of such importance that. it was'though!, advisable to leave them for. the consideration of the annual meeting. The Board had received from South Africa a trade journal, and thought that- some'efforts might be made for establishing a monthly journal in New Zealand by the various Typographical Unions. The Board saw no reason why this colony should not possess such a journal, and thought it would be of benefit to members. The Board regretted to have to report the loss, through death, of one of its old members, in the person of the late Mr G. Morcom, who for many years had been connected with the staff of the "Dyttelton Times." The Board sent a floral tribute, and a large number of the Union members attended the funeral of their late comrade. During the year, several interviews and conferences had taken place between the employers and representatives of the Board, and on all occasions the utmost good feeling and courtesy had characterised the meetings. The employers had always communicated their wants of labour to the Secretary, ensuring members getting the full advantage of all casual work that was offering. The Board sincerely hoped these good feelings would continue, and thus bring about a healthy co-operation between the employers and the Union for the benefit of all. The death of our late Gracious Majesty ! Queen Victoria, would be received with the ( general, and extreme, regret that was felt- by ; all nations and all grades of people. To show the Board's respect, the report was printed in full mourning. .The election of officers was then proceeded with, and resulted as follow :—President, Mr D. Davidson ; vice-president, Mr J. Thorn; secretary, Mr J. W. Roberts (re-elected); treasurer, Mr W. M'Kay (re-elected) ; audUors, Messrs J. Wheatley: and F. C. Gerard: uustees. Messrs R. J. I'aiill and A. T. Vv. Bvadwell (re-elected) ; Board of Management, Messrs. F. Y. Wilson (representing Timaru), A. Tolan, W. G. Ludbrooke, T. \Y. Chappell and G. Ritchie; delegales to Trades and Labour Council, Messrs F. Y. Wilson and J. I). ■ MacLaren (re-elected). The question of inaugurating a trade " social " was left to.the Board of Management.