WESTPORT CLEANINGS.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 67, 28 June 1912, Page 10

WESTPORT CLEANINGS.

General Laborers' Union—Watersiders Workers' Homes — Co-operative Tailoring Store Delegation. At the meeting on June 11 of tho Weetport General Laborers' Union, owing to the largo number of members present, many being unablo to gain admittance into the meeting room, tho meeting had to adjourn to the watereiders' room ato the river front. Iwo hundred or over wero present out of a membership of 420 The principal business oi the evening was the delegates' report and to conaider the lew for tho strikers at Wailn and Reef ton Mr. Stephonson gave a very interestin <» report of the conference. He made clear to all present tho whole position of the Waihi trouble, and how it started 12 months ago. He also enlightened his follow-worl«M'B on the lies that wero published in the New Zealand press, which had a tendency to make everything bad for the workers, and every lever was being used to try and destroy that powerful body, tho Federation of Labor. Tho speaker received a good hearing, and was accorded a vote of thanks. Mr. J. Mclierron, the delegate of the watersiders, also spoke The strike levy was then discussed. A motion and two amendments were put to tho meeting, and it finally decided to forward CoO out of the funds to the wives and children of the miners now unemployed in Waihi and Roofton, and that a levy of 2s, 6d. per \yeek bo gtruck on the members. A division was taken in the room, and tho motion was carried without dissent. Those last few weeks the weather has been anything but favorable for outside work. Tho wharf hands and miners seem to be fairly busy. All kinds of trades are working, and no idle tradesmen are about. The-ro is still a demand for good allround navvies on the Wstport-Inanga-jhua railway works. Tho Harbor Board, borough and county are full-handed at present. The WcsFport Watersi dors' Union endorsed Uio action of the Federation Executive, in striking a 10 per cent, levy in aid of the Reetfon and Waihi men who are out on strike, at a meeting which was held last Sunday morning. A division was taken in the room and proved n unanimous voto. The Watorsiders , and General Laborers' Unions are working hard just now endeavoring to have workers' homes erected at Westport. At prosent a very large number of tho workers aro living in routed houses. All tho unionists in the district seem to bo well satisfied with the work done at the conference. Messrs. P. O'Rourko nnd 0. Hun tor (secretary of the State Miners' Union of Runanga) paid us a visit lately asking tho assistance ijf tlm unions to support tho Greviiioulh Co-operating Tailoring Storo. They addressed a meeting of the combined unions in the watersiders' hall on the river front. Mr. G. Flawes tho vice-president of t;ho General Laborers' Unioiij iulro'lncod the visitors. There was a very good number of members present, and after hearing tho address and several questions being asked, tho visitors wore promised all support possible. Tho ro-oporativo works at Te Kuha aro nearly completed and only about 20 men are left on the job.—D. MOLAMPV