Wellington Gas Workers, Union

Maoriland Worker, Volume 12, Issue 294, 18 October 1922, Page 3

Wellington Gas Workers , Union

EEPOIiT OF ANMTTAI. 9[EETING

■The annual meeting of the Wellington. City Gas '."Workers' Industrial Union of Workers was field on October 4. Mr. It. (Thishplin, president, occupied Uie chair. . . •: Tho first business was .-the Secretary's Annual Report anil- Balance Sheet. The Secretary in his repoit covered a number, 01-matters-of interest to Gas (Workers, wh t-li■included tut new agreement covering tie wj?gc3 and working conditions which he had just signed uip for a period of twelve months. He '-also - dealt with tiie new Glover West-plant, ana said that although the Labour world favoured and welcomed new machinery ia every industry, it was regrettable Indeed that by the introduction of this new method of -gas making it liad put many of the members out of employment, which only emphasises ,tlie necessity of the WORKEKS OWNING AND CONTROLLING TTTO MACHINERY OF PRODQCI luX IN EVERY INDUSTRY. In dealing .with the membership of the ITnion the Secnatary said many of the members were -good solid Unson\sts and had, during his term of office, given him ■every assistance in improving the catulitisms and wages appertaining to that industry, but there were a few •H r iio d-«d not seem to understand the first principles of Unionism and conanquenlTy were, the cause of • some Httle trouble. The Balance iSlieel showed that they were in. a .sound position financially. After a few questions were ■α-sked the Report and Balance Sheet, were adopted and the Sv<;rr-r.ary \-;« congratulated on his year's act-■TU.iek on behalf pi the Uilkm. . It was decided Lo issue an annual ticket .at a reduced rate o£ £1' per annum. As tho Quarterly contributions are now 7/6, the members thought, that a reduction of ten skilAings would' be an incentive, to the members to popularise the annual ticket. ■ - ■ Tho election of officers, than' followed and as a result Mr. K. Chfehoim .was elected president, Mr, C. Treft, vice-president; Mr. J. .Seacomi) , ?, treasurer; Mr. L. Glover, secre-tory , , Mr. A. Davidson, Mtran'xar, agent; and Mr. J. Teague, town agent. For the Executive, Mr. A..'Davidson, J. Teague an-d C. Trett were elected, with Mr. Moss re-elected trustee.

Letters were received from . th<* Freezing Workers' Federation. L.R.0., New Zealand Labour. Par tr. Labour Day Cek-bratton Committee, appealing for financial assistance, whiMi the members granted in all instant. It was furiber decided that C. Trett and J. McCall should represent this Union on the Day 'Colebratioa Comand that-Mr... A. Davidson would' canvas the members: and sell the tickets which the New' Zealand X.aboiiv Party "is"issuing In ait attempt to collect 50,000 shillings."

At thiir stage Mr. J, 'Thorn, the Editor of Tli 8 Maoriiaml Woric«r was adirittoci to'the meeting, lo ■ which he received aright good welcome. In a brief but very pointed address to the members be pointed out that if we were going to make any headway in Now Zealand, and build up an effective working-class movement, it was absolutely necessary to have a much largei- circulation of 'The Worker among t.be industrial workers. He aiso pointed out how The Worker had been persecuted ?n tlie pa*t- and the struggle it had come through. He concluded by giving an insight Into - the inner working of the paper and its management.-

On taking his seat, Mr. Giover moved a nearly vote tit thanks to the speaker for coming along;'ana gJvnitf such an instructive iaddress and said he had known Mr. Thorn for m:«t years ant? he was one of the men ia the Labour movement h-e Vulm?."e.l, as lie always got to work when, thsro'"was .■work to <50. He especially t>raised \:<q energetic way Mr. Thorn iius »lwa\a pushed Tito "Woriteiv The resolution. was' earrf«3 with, enthufiSasia.' Mr. Thorn fcrkfiy replied and Inert i'3tlred.

& further resolution was rjarrlefi t!is-t the Secretary enter'-into nojrotiatic«ns v-ith Tlmj Maoillana Fa-blishtng "Company ••with a view of purchasing shares and that ha ?>'? '' autliorisea to obtain a copy ol the paper fov cacli member for Iree clrculatioEi Two members were apIK>inted to canvas for .with a view o£ pushing this paper ■ the Union.. ... . ..--.._ '-.... ... Mr. J. Toagu© was eTcctea to represent the Union on the cpmmlltee which w-as set tip by the Trades Council to go, into the cost, pt.,Hying* Mr. A. Davidson TOlunteer«a to sell - *&c Trades' Council Art Union .Tickets and after the usual bonuses-nad ;"■ .6een passed for payment t o officers 'y. tor sendees rendered, , the •■ meeting