Christchurch to the Fore.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 72, 26 July 1912, Page 10

Christchurch to the Fore.

CHRISTCHURCH CHAT.

Among the Unions— Holland Welcomed—The Correct View re Waihi and Reefton—Canterbury Metal Workers.

At a recent mooting of the Tramway Employees' Union, a committee of nine was elected to meet the Tramway Hoard to go into the question ol the alleged grievance of the employees.

A social was tendered on Wednesday evening of last week in tho Socialist Hall to Mr. H. E. Holland, organising secretary of the Australian Socialist Party. " Mr. Holland, in the course of 1 short address, traced tho history of the Socialist movement m Australia, along with tho development of the Labor Party. The Socialist Labor Party, be said, had been in existence some years prior to the formation of the Labor Party, and had been associated with tho Labor Party movement for a number of years alter that party had come- into existence, socking to inHue.nee it in a Socialist direction. It had at length realised the futility cf that lino of action, and withdrawn from tho Labor Party movement, taking independent political action, and using tho experience of that movement as an example. The Socialist movement <;i Now Zealand could not nJl'ord to tolor-at-e a Labor Party movement, but must build up on distinct lines as in all other countries.

At the last meeting of the Rattan ami Wickerworkors' Union it was agreed to amalgamate with the Furniture Trade Union under Section '20 of tho I.C. and A. Act. The latter body will deal with the matter at its next meeting.

Tho Engine-drivers' Union has voted the sum of £5 ss. to assist the women and children, at Waihi and Reefton.

It is a great pity that the unions of New Zealand do not realise that there is a struggle—Capital v. Labor —at Waihi and Reefton. If the fight is lost it will react right through the Labor movement. This is how the Laborers. Metal Workers' Assistants. Fioozing Works and Engine-drivers' Unions look at the position.

Tho annual meeting of the Canterbury Metal Workers' Assistants' Union was held on Monday. July 15. The balance-sheet for tho half-year showed receipts £o5 Ss., expenditure £49 14s. •id., leaving a credit of £15 13s. Gd. on the half-year's working, and an excess of receipts for the previous hall-year of £1.7 19s. Tho secretary reported that tho membership Mas steadily increasing. The election of officer l :, which was keenly contested, resulted as follows:— ['resident, G. Thurston; vicepresident, J. Hislop: Iff asurer. S. Shackle; secretary. V. Ellis: trustee. W. Uelaney ; committee-—lO. T. Daly. C. Bloom, JI. Ormand, J. Underwood. 11. Thompson, I.'. Ring. V. lirhlv; auditors, T. Brooks, D." Archer. Mr. A. Arrowsmith was elected to (ill the vacancy on the Metal Trade Federation. The request of the National Peace Council asking for a detailed statement of matter in connection with the compulsory militaiy training scheme was complied with. A complaint, was received that a local firm of ironworkers was trying to evade the provisions of tho Sheet Metal Workers' award, by transferring the work to boilermakers, who nave a provision in their award whereby (his particular class of work can be done for Is. per hour. The delegates of the .Metal Trade Federation were given full power to act in

the matter