WHARF LABOURERS' UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9144, 28 August 1888, Page 5

WHARF LABOURERS' UNION.

In" response to an announcement by the Auckland Trades and Labour Couneil, about fifty labourers engaged on the wharf and shipping assembled at the Temperance Hall last night, to consider the advisability of forming a Lumpers' Union. Mr. Tudehope was called to the chair, and explained the object of the meeting, stating his regret that the former Lumpers' Union had been broken up. Mr. Ellison then moved, "That this meeting is of opinion that a Wharf Labourers' Union should be at once formed." He had felt aggrieved at the disruption of the Lumpers' Union, and he could see the want of it at the present lime. He was of opinion that a time was near at hand when an effort was to be made to reduce the labourers' wages all through the colon}'. A Union if formed would to a certain extent prevent the accomplishment of this step. On the motion being seconded, Messrs. Defney, Bell, Campbell, Sullivan, and others spoke at length, but their remarks were for the most part confined to matters at issue at the time of the breaking up of the old Union, and were frequently of a personal nature. The Chairman stated that the cause of the disbandment of the previous society was the too hasty action of the men in goincj on strike. A speaker drew attention to the fact that there were but half-a-dozen of the permanent hands engaged on the wharf present. (A voice —" They are afraid of their employers.") This caused several of those referred to to leave the meeting. After much desultory discussion, Mr. Ellison's motion was put and carried without dissent. Mr. E. Campbell was appointed secretary pro tern., and took down the names of those who had signified their intention to join the Union. All those present promised to canvass for members, and the meeting terminated.