N.Z. Workers' Union Page Conducted By THE HEAD OFFICE, Wellington.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 11, Issue 184, 23 June 1920, Page 9

N.Z. Workers' Union Page Conducted By THE HEAD OFFICE, Wellington.

Mi WORKER? UNION

Annas! Conference

MONDAY MAY 24 Present: Messrs. Qook (chair), Grayndler. Temnleton, Register, Boone. Donnelly, Sullivan, Baldwin, .V>wnsend. Key, Boreham, Mclncrney, Middlemiss. Craven and Langstone.

The committee set up to consider tiie ruieslum of Labor Bureaux recom-mended:-.--Tha-. conference .should wait on (lie ilimsie-" of Labor and (11 ask him to notify all employers that the Government LaLor Bureaux-are engaging labor free both to workers ;.n 1 employers; (2) that the N.Z.W.U. iiiKinnt its m-nr.'.iers to engage only llirmigh Government Labor Bureaux. Lite Government to keen standing advertisements in all papers in the dominion informing employers that ihey are' prepared m engage lalor tor all industries.

The committee's renort on construction workers' amalgamation wilh the New Zealand Workers' Union was ''cad as follows: —

Mr. Mclnerney, the- representative of the Railway Construction Workers, accepted in toto the whole of the l.olicy and constitution of -the .New Zealand Workers' Union. This finalises .the amalgamation of t.he Railway Construction Workers with the N.Z.W.U.

The Committee recommends that Ibis conference directs that an appeal be made to the Construction Workers to contribute liberally from their holiday hack pay into the funds of-the Xew Zealand Workers' Union, the money so collected to be used for the purpose of reimbursing the men at Huarua who were out on strike, and who where instrumental in liringiug about, the present agreement for the -Uailwav Construction" Worke s of-this Dominion-.

Mr. Bo r eham moved (lie adoption of the report, which was seconded l)v Mr. Middlemiss.

Mr. Mclnerney said that the fight at Huarau had been going on for twelve months and the whole of the concessions made by the Department dad been in operation in the North. He dealt at some length with the conditions of the railway construction workers. - Referring to holidaypay, he said that the least the construction workers could do was to give some of the money secured by the ettorts of the union for the purpose of reimbursing the men at Huarau who were out on strike and were instrumental in securing the existing agreement, lie suggested sending a manifesto to tbe P.W.D. employees throughout the country for this purpose. v

Replying to Alr. Langstone .Mr. Meinerney said ihe men at Huarau had spent £150 a week on the strike. The Otira men would receive something like £1200 in the shape of back pay. and it was not too much to ask them lo return some of it.

Mr. Grayndler said that all the railway construction workes bad had their condition's and pay improved as the result of the new ■agreement. The committee had decided unanimously that it was a fair thing to ask the workers lo assist those married men who were put to hiss as a result of the strike.

Replying to Mr. Baldwin. Wir. Grayndler said that hours of work and wages.were the only matters still iv dispute. The Prime Minister had agreed to meet them to discuss these questions. All other demands had been provided for in the agreement. The motion was then put and carried on the voices. ■. CASES HEARD AT BLENHEIM Mr. Townsend reported that, as instructed by conference, he bad gone to Blenheim, fn the case of the Marlborough threshers, this had been adjourned until the other cases were disposed of. The application for .an increase of Id an. hour from Ist January for Ihe building trades was granted. The men would get 2.3- an li'.vir in place of 1/11 an hour. In connection with the' application for bonus, by the shed hands, lie applied to have the case heard at Wellington, and this was agreed to.

Iv connection witli the claims of the baud-cutters and cooks, evidence had been heard and the case argued. The employers had opposed prefer? euce.

, The Ju.lge had asked if there were any clause in the award whereby any man outside the feeder aiid driller and driver came under the Compensation Act. He said there was not, and asked his Honor if ■he would draft a clause to provide that any man shifting a mill from station to station should have the benefits of the Compensation Act. . He also asked, (hat when the application for bonus at present being applied for in Otago was heard the CourJ; should hear the Marlborough case as well and this was agreed to. Everything had gone off well for the-union.

The report was adopted on the mo-* tion of Mr. and Mr, Town»end thanked Wi.his service ...

WORKER SLIPS:

Mr. Grayndler brought forward the following recommendation of The Worker Board of Control; that the Board of Control ask the Head Office to undertake the receipt of Worker slips, to be checked by Head Office. He read the report of the Manager of Tiie Worker.

Mr. Boreham said he would like further information as to the inner wo king of The Worker. He believed the paper was not being pushed. He thought an organiser should be out on its behalf. He believed some advertising matter had been out out.

II was decided to defer further discussion till the following (.ay to allow oLlhe Manager and Editor of The Worker addressing conference. WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND MEDICAL SERVICE Mr. Langstone moved the following ; emits from the King Country Timber Workers' I'liion--"That Labor M.P.'3 l:e instructed and supported in demanding fuller compensation for workers in sickness, accident or incapacitation with full pay :'from time of incapacitation, also free nursing, medical and hospital attendance."

"That this conference strongly sup r ports the N.Z.Labor Party in demanding the. nationalisation and socialisation of the nursing, medical and dental professions, and persons so employed therein to he paid by the State a salary commensurate with their needs."

Mr. Boreham seconded the motion and strongly supported the need for it. and recommended that a deputation wait on the Minister to urge its acceptance. ■

Mr. Donnelly moved as an amendment: "That the Union deputationise the Government urging it to bring about a scheme of compulsory insurance for all workers provided for by payments from their own earnings." He pointed out that the workers were not disposed to "cadge" from the Gove'jiment for what they were able to provide for. themselves. If his idea were given effect, it would mean that wages would have to be increased lo provide the insurance.

Mr. Mclnerney seconded the amendment.

Mr. Langstone opposed the amendment and said that the insurance scheme at Huntly had broken down.

Mr. Mclnerney pointed out that this was a local scheme; the amendment provided for a national one.

Mr. Langstone said the question of health was not an industrial, but a social question, and should be dealt with from a national standpoint. A third of the gross takings of insurance schemes was taken up in the expense of collection. The Government could carry out a scheme and more simply and cheaply than any other system. What they required was to throw the whole .c of the national health on to the Government. He disapproved of palliative schemes. The taxable wealth of ihe Dominion was £800,000,000 and there was no reason why the Government should not undertake the work.

Mr. Boone said it would, be tampering with the question to deal with it as suggested by the amendment.

Mr. Middlemiss supported the motion. There ought to be bureaux throughout tbe ountry to provide medical attention when required. The B.M.A. was a close corporation, and no reform could be secured until nationalisation was carried out.

Mr. Townsend said that insurance canvassers were parasites. He had known a man earn &V£/A/~ in two days. It was necessary that the medical service should be nationalised. :

Mr. Donnelly said that the motion was impracticable. His scheme could be brought into operation within three months. The wo"iker would know how much he was to get, in case of sickness. The money would be collected by the employer, and the State would administer the scheme.

Mr. Langstone said that benefits under Mr. Donnelly's* scheme would be proportioned io wages. They were not a/ter charity, but the satisfection of human needs. The national scheme was the most workable and satisfactory one. Wages would never rise much above subsistance level.

The amendment was then put and lost, the voting being; For, Messrs. Donnelly, Afclnerney, and Templeton; against. Aless.s. Register. Boone, Sullivan, Townsend. Key. Boreham, Middlemiss, Craven, and 'Langstone.

Mr. Templeton moved as a further aniendtaient: "That a committee be set up to bring down a scheme.that \V"ill insure wojckers of., proper treatment during sickness-and accident, the same to be'forwarded lo all Labor unions with the object of making a combined attack on the inadequate method" employed by the Government in dealing with workers' compensation, and , the medical and nursing system 'of tiie Dominion.

Mr. Baldwin seconded the amendment, and said that if political methods were to be relied upon, then they were not going the right fray about getting what they wanted. The industrial workers should be in a position" 1 to dictate It) parliamentary representatives, He hODed U_e coui-

■mil tee would evolve a working method. In such cases the 'workers Ihemselver, should f.-_!:c the initiative and the politicians would follow. —

(Applause.)

Mr. Boreham said Hie last speaker had given the best reasons tor rejecting (lie amendment. He wanted somelb ing done (bat would be practicable and substantial. That was what he stood for. They were working for the future and not merely for the needs of the moment.

Mr. Mclnerney supported the amendment. No doubt all the delegates favoured the objects aimed at in the motion. The workers on the railway construction works had wrung concessions from the most conservative Government of the country. All the most advanced reforms had come from the industrial workers. Anything that dad been gained from Parliament iiad been gained by in'/elligent action on the part of the industrial workers. He would,stand by that line of action. They all stood for Socialisation, but differed in regard to ways and means. They wanted practical proposals drawn up.

Mr. Langstone-said the natural outcome of the carrying of the motion would be the .setting up of a deputation to the Minister to put before him a practical scheme. There were enough p-ofits made out of insurance to-day to provide by taxation all the funds necessary. The only way to deal with nursing, medical.attendance and so on. was to make it a national affair, using the State machinery, if the motion were carried v committee could be set up.

Mr. Grayndler supported the amendment. The N.Z.W.U. was an industrial organisation and had declared in favour of industrial methods. The-"je was no need to get behind members of Parliament. If the workers determined on what they wanted and fought for it with all their machinery it would be brought about more quickly than if it were brought forward by a political body l ! That was an established fact. The Government could be compelled to recognise -the need for any 'eform by industrial methods, much more speedily than by any other means. Industrial organisation was the best weapon that Labor could use. He supported the amendment.

Sir. Donnelly supported the amendment. They should do something right now. Thty wanted to cut the insurance companies right out. Mr. Templeton replied. His amendment was designed to make the industrial bodies unite in a frontal attack on Parliament, in order to force what was wanted. Resolutions had been carried on the subject without limit, but nothing had been done. Tbey must use their industrial strength (o force the reform.

Air. Langstone said he had fought for industrial organisation as strenuously as any man,in the Conference. He simply desired to strengthen their efforts by securing the support of the political representatives.

The amendment was then put and carried, the voting being: —For: A'mssis. Templeton, Register, Donnelly,, Sullivan, Key, Robinson, Mclnerney, and Baldwin; against: Boreham, Townsend,.Craven, and Langstone.

Air. Baldwin suggested that the mover of the motion and amendment confer and select a committee, and this''was agreed to. ANTI-ARBITRATION. Air. Langstone then moved tho following remit from the Kin . Country: That this Conference of the' N.Z.W U. give every assistance to free the K.C.T.W.S.U. and the district in which ihey operate from the control of the Arbitration Court and the unions vhich at present have jurisdiction in tnat district.

that district. The Kink Country men had done good work, but would require assistance in freeing themselves from th" tentacles of the Arbitration Court. If they could get the support of organised Labor it would help them to get an agreement..

! Mr. Baldwin seconded tbe motion, which he thoroughly agreed with. The King Country timber workers would get the support they required, and would be able: to secure conditions that would benefit all the timber workers throughout the Dominion. Messrs. Mclnerney, Donnelly and Middlemiss supported the motion, which was then put and carried unanimously. AKITIO REMIT. Mr. Templeton than moved his motion for the rescission of .he decision on the Akitio remit, which was-re-jected as being already provided -for in the constitution. After discussion this was carried on the following division: For: Baldwin, Templeton, Townsend, Donnelly, Sullivan, Key, Robinson and middlemiss: Against, Register,- Boone, Boreham, Mclnerney, "Craven and Langstone.

Conference then adjourned

TUESDAY, AIAY 25

Present: Messrs. Cook ' (chair), Grayndler, Templeton, Register, Boone, Donnelly, Sullivan, Baldwin, Townsend, Key, Robinson. .Mclnerney, Boreham, Middlemiss, Craven, and Langstone.

The debate on the subject of carrying machines was resumed in committee. . • ■ ' •

Finally a motion moved by Mr. Townsend, seconded by Air, Mclnerney,- was carried as follows:—That rule' 37, providing that a fine of £2 he imposed on shearej'S carrying their own machines should stand, and that

a committee comprising the President. Secretary, Messrs. Donnelly, Templeton. Mclnerney, and Townsond be appointed for the purpose of drawing'up reasons against members carrying their own machines.

I The division was:—For: Register, Boone, Sullivan, Baldwin, Boreham, Townsend, Key, Robinson, Mclnerney, Middlemiss, and Craven; against: Langstone, Templeton, Donnelly. WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Mr. Grayndler moved that the following remit from the com.,auction workers, "That the Compensation Act be amended, and provision made in .the Act for compensation to be paid from the date of accident together with ail doctors and hospital expenses," be referred to the committee sti up to deal with the question of compensation (Messrs. Templeton, Langstone, Mcfnerncy, Robinson, and Boreham)." GORE itEMITS. The following remits from Gore were dealt with as follows: — .1) That owing to the most absurd om;_iu a.iiuos oj .iapjo vi osbo siq\ jo .?ui.n*3i*3.t t> .ioj sai'ddu osp* put? 'otuus It'utuSt* isaio.id iC[Buo.tia uojUfi oqi •s.td.ioisnm oj poiuuiS SOh'»!*A JO 3}V.l for the musterers.—Adopted. (2) That fares be paid both ways from the nearest railway station to all shearers and shed hands alike .when engaged at shearing and crutching work.—Referred 10 committee. (3) That 6 a.m. to C p.m. be inserted in lieu of 6 a.m. to 7.30 on Saturday, as the married men te quire rest on Saturday night, and the earlier hour will suit them best.—Referred to Committee.

(4) That clause (b) of the preference clause be amended by inserting the words "or verbal" after the word "written" in the preference clause, and making this clause read "on making written or verbal application in order to join the Union."—Referred to committee.

(5) That a clause be added to the next threshing mill demands placing the men in tbe mill-owners' employ while travelling on the roads in order to secure the men against accident.—Referred to committee. OLD AGE TICKETS. Mr. Middlemiss moved and Mr. Donnelly seconded the remit from Gore that iv future all members over 60 years of age who have been members of the Union and financial for 20 years shouid be granted free old age tickets. Mr. Baldwin said that the privileges were often secured by old loafers. The rule was open to abase by shirkers.

Mr. Middlemiss suggested that tho Gore remit be approved and filed as already provided for in the constitution.

Air. Boone said that whikt a man could go into an industry and earn a full wage he should pay for his ticket.

Mr. Middlemiss moved that clause 7 be amended to read "65 years," and the Gore remit be amende;; accordingly and adopted.

Mr. Boreham moved as an amendment that rule 7 of the constitution be deleted. The Union was not a charitable institution.

Mr. Alclnerney seconded the amendment. In other industries old men were specially provided for. They should have the right to buy their tickets. Unions had prevented old men from being sacked, and they were securing the same wages as younger men. So long as that was the case old members should pay their dues.

Air. Templeton supported tho motion. He would have no hesitation in applying for an old age ticket, when he reached the age of 60. It would be an honor, but need not. prevent the old men paying their dues

Mr. Grayndler opposed the amendment, and supported .Mr. Templeton's views. Many good men in their old age were not able to pay their dues. The rule was for the purpose of recognising the services of such men. Many of the holders,of honorary tickets paid their dues.

Mr. Langstone supported the motion. Perhaps some day the Union would issue service buttons. It was a good thing to recognise the pioneers of the Union and would conduce to a spirit of brotherhood.

Air. Townsend supported the motion. It was an OlcT rule of the A.W.U. to grant old age ticket?. He believed in old age members getting The Worker on payment of the levy alone. For JEaO he had paid into unions he had received tenfold. Replying "to Mr. Middlemiss, the Secretary said twelve old age tickets were issued during the first year the system was in operation. Mr. Boom.; said dissension had been caused by the rule m i\:c pa .1. The rule had been abused;

Ail. Baldwin suggested that the omi. of proving that old age ticket's were properly'issued should be thrown on the official concerned.

Mr. Middle.iis_ asked leave to amend his motion io inovirle that all old age tickets be issued from tbe Head Office and branch ufllcera relieved of the responsibility of issuing same. This was agreed to. Mr. Register support 1 flic amendment, which was .tost on 'lie following division:—For: Register. Booae, MoInerney, and Boreham; again.*:.: Graven, Middlemiss, Templeton, Langstone, Donnelly, Sullivan, Baldwin, Townsend and K"ey. ■ ' Mr. Boreham moved as a further amendment: That a committee bs set up for the purpose of selecting any number of old age battlers up to 100 for recommendation to the Executive to be enrolled as old members of the Union. Mr. Mclnerney seconded the amendment, which was rejected ou the following division:—l<\n : Register, Boone, Boreham, and Mclnerney; against: Templeton, Donnelly, Sulli- 1 van, Baldwin, Townsend, Key. Middlemiss, Craven, Langstone, and Robinson.

As a further amendment. Mr. Townsend moved that the rule be amended by striking out 60 and substituting 65.

This was seconded by Mr. Boreham formally, and rejected on the following division:—For: Townsend ?ni Langstone; against: Templeton, Graven, Mclnerney, Boreham. Key, Baldwin, Sullivan, Donnelly, Boone, Register, Middlemiss and Robinson.

The motion was (hen nut and carried, Messrs. Register and Boone dissenting.

Mr. Boreham then suggested that the tickets of old members should be endorsed on the butt, "old age ticket, free," and moyed accordingly.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Donnelly and carried, the voting being:—For:. Templeton, Donnelly, Sullivan, Baldwin, Key, Boreham, Mc-. Inerney, Craven, Langstone, and Robinson; against: Register, Boone, Townsend. RULES. Mr. Boreham moved that the Secretary be instructed to draw the attention of members, through-Tlie Maori* land Worker to the rules in connection with remits.—Carried. THRESHERS' AGREEMENT. Mr. Templeton moved:—That the Otago and Southland threshing-mill workers do not enter into an agreement that will govern more than one season. Further, that this Conference instruct officials to- slant! for a national agreement for all threshingmill hands. Mr. Boreham said that the Head Office should instruct branches not to apply for a new agreement when the existing one expired. Mr. Grayndler said that the Union could not force a Dominion award without the consent of both parties. Mr. Templeton withdrew his motion in favor of the following moved by Mr. Boreham: —That no branch of the Union proceed for a new award until instructed to do so by Head Office. Mr. Townsend seconded the motion. He favored uniform conditions under a Dominion award. , The moti»n was carried unanimously. OTAGO DISPUTES. Mr. Boreham suggested that Mr. McMauus be authorised to conduct the threshing-mill workers' dispute in Otago, and that he (Mr. Boreham) conduct the case for the musterers.

Air. Townsend thought that oi could conduct both cases.

The President said that the Genera Secretary would have to attend Hi cases, or set someone else to do so. Replying to Mr. Baldwin, the Secw tary said the application in the cas of Hie threshers was for a bonus; i the case of the musterers for a amendment of the award. - On the understanding, that the ser vices of Mr. McManus and Mr. Bore ham would be availed of if necessarj the motion was withdrawn. BONUS. Mr. Townsend moved that the Sec retafy be instructed to have the ap plications for bonuses of the shearer aud shed hands in Canterbury am Otago adjourned to Wellington, so tha the whole matter could be dealt wit! at one time. Mr. Boone seconded the motion which was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. Townsenc seconded by Mr. Sullivan, it was dc cided thai the Secretary be instructs to have applications made for th; bonus by the South Canterbury.an' Waimate threshers and also when th Marlborough award was gazetted. THE WOBKES. Mr, Glover, the manager of Til Worker, was welcomed to the Confei ence, and gave a resumo of the bai ance-sheet. He referred to the dc cision-to cut down the size of tb paper, and discontinue some of It advertisements. The building belong ing- to the company was worth mor to-day than they had. given for it. I regard to the shortage of paper, : had been decided by the Board i i change the size of the paper and 1 cut out mpst of the advertising Tlj .size of the paper would be the saa> as that of "The Australian Worker, and there would be eight or ten page containing as much reading matter l at present. It had been also decid< to increase the price to the Unioi from 7/6 to 10/- a year, and 3d. p< copy to outsiders. It had been dedd< to recommend that the paper toe rti purely as an industrial -organ. . TP.

circulation amongst the N.Z.W. U. !mcmbc)_ had increased by 1000, and he had mi douot it would be greatly increased during the coming year. Numerous complaints had been received as to non-delivery of papers. The fault, to some extent, lay in the office. Other reasons were the illegibility of slips coming in and imperfect addresses, also failure to send in slips. The Board was of opinion (hat the Head Office of tht N.Z.W.U. should receive slips and send a list of them to The Worker. This would give the Union a check on the slips, and would render it easy to trace where tbe fault of non-delivery lay. He considered it would be wise to adopt the recommen-j dation oi tbe Board.

Air. Key asked if Air., Parry were ihe Auckland representative of The Worker. Mr. Glover: Yes. '

Air. Key if any representation had been made in regard to using Tin* Wwriter l.lant and office.'; for the purpose cf a daily paper. Mr. Glover. No. . Air. Donne;ty asked if the advertising could be made profitable if a big staff of •:anv.-;- J sers could be secured.-

Mr. Glover --aid the income from the advertisemenv would not pay for increase*"! i ost -<f extra paper required. They wo-.ld i.-.ye to be increased 100 per cent., and .his made it difficult to get them. Small advertisements were not worth while, unless payment were secured in advance. The big advertisement': had to be. . oi from big men, and it v,t.<: these The Worker was up against. 31 was considered that it was best to do without advertisements. There vv.i. no objection to taking advertisements from Union organisers if payment were made in advance. It was a)vno_l. certain that there would be a decier.se in circulation consequent on iho increased price, but it would not be permanent.

'Mr. Baldwin asked if the Union received Ihe Flips, was it fair lo ask an increased subsidy from the Union?

Air. Glover said if had been arranged to pnt a girl from The .Vorktr office on 1o do the work, under the Secretary's supervision.

Mr. Giayndler said the Head Office would take Ihe responsibility for sending in the slips. This would, not entail any extra work to speak of.

Mr. Mclnerney advised having Ihe distribution of papers done by a responsible official.

Mr. Grayndler said this could be done whoever possible.

•Mr. Langstone said ihis would not work in the case of timber workers, who wc;e constantly shifting,

Mr. Townsend asked for an explanation oi the decreased ciiculation.

Mr. Glover said tbe r-irc'nlalion had not decreased, except that in the mining districis'thc circulation had tone down owing to the men leaving. The sales would be affected, to some extent, by the men who previously got the paper getting it now through the Union.

Mr. Tov.nsend said nine-ten.hs of Tim ..Worker slips were from people who never saw 'Hit* Worker bclore. Certain people were not taking the paper as they objected to its tone, which was said to lie I.W.W. He was satisfied the paper was not getting the support it had got in the past.

Mr. Glover said the paper was in a better financial position than ever it was.

Mr. Kraig, editor of Tlw Worker, briefly addressed the Conference. He believed the paper should stand primarily for industrialism, and by that he did not mean that it should be either non-political or anti-political. A Labor Press should be free from political control, and able to take up an independent attitude in politics. His experience of Labor journalism in Australia had convinced him of tho need for that. So far as he could judge, the fundamental principles ot the N.Z.W.U. were those for which the paper stood. The work of the unions who founded The Worker and kept it going was primarily in industrial field, and be personally believed and always had advocated that Ihe industrial union; should be the driving force in working-class politics. The work of the unions and the.paper they controlled lay in the industrial field and need not be necessarily hostile to political bodies. So far as he was concerned, he would no* edit a paper that was controlled hy politicians. lie believed the recent decisions of the Board were in the right direction and would result in the paper being made stronger, more efficient and a holier tool in the hands of the working class.

CLASS CO-OPERATION,

At this stage, Mr. J\ Fraser, vicepresident of tho Labor Party, addressed Conference on behalf of that body, urging the need for closer co-opera-tion between the N.Z.W.U. and the Labor Party.

Mr. Fraser was. given a hearty vote of thanks on the call of the President, who said that, .while he did not accept Mr. Frasor's views, he had got assistance from him any time ho had. asked it.

Conference adjourned.

While In Blenheim Organiser J. Townsend was able to give somo assistance to the Marlborough Building Trades' Union of Workers in a case before the Marlborough Court. Th!« Union now writes the Head Office, thanking tho N.Z.W.U. for tho h6lpi rendered by Its organiser, and as an earnest o£ Ha sincerity forwards £1/1/- a» a donation to tho fund, ot .tho.;Worker. » Vnl m.