GENERAL WORKERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 245, 14 September 1936, Page 8

GENERAL WORKERS

MEETING IN PALMERSTON NORTH. A meeting of the general workers was held in the supper room (Opera House) on Thursday evening, lOtli inst., Mr L. Timms presided over a very largo attendance. Mr L. Glover, president of the Alliance of Labour, gave a general outline of the workings and the strength of this body, and its affiliations, embracing thousands of workers. Mr Glover said, as a result of the new legislation there were thousands of men and women enrolling into industrial organisations. The policy of the New Zealand Alliance of Labour was to work in the closest co-operation with the New Zealand Labour Party, backing them up in all their activities. The local organiser was called upon to address the members, and an outline was given of the agreement reached in connection with the concrete workers in the whole of the Wellington industrial district recently agreed to in conciliation. The highest rate was 2s 7fd and the lowest was 2s 3d per hour, with paid annual holidays on a 40 hour 5 day week. An outline was also given of the gardeners’ labourers’ agreement that was agreed to in conciliation. A number of amendments will take place at a later date, when rules of the organisation have been finally registered. An agreement was reached in connection with the wire workers. The Palmerston North branch finally agreed last week in Wellington, to improve the conditions of the workers considerably. A general outline was given to the members of the improvements and the conditions of the workers at Foxton. Quito a large section of workers have now l>een put on full time since the union started to negotiate with the authorities. A definite improvement has been brought about at Levin, and at present the organisation is endeavouring to bring about a big improvement with both Maoris and others at Otaki where the workers have been handicapped to a considerable extent. Committees are set up from both industrial and political sides to compare notes with their local representatives. This channel, it was stated, is the right one, and apparently has been a very effective one. Many positions have been analysed and grievances have been adjusted to a considerable extent.

The meeting concluded at 11 p.m. and a combined vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Glover and the local representativo for the interesting address on industrial affairs. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the chairman for the able manner in which he conducted the meeting.