EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8353, 5 September 1890, Page 6

EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS.

MEETING AT NAPIER.

NEW FREE ASSOCIATION FORMED. [BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Napier, Thursday. A crowukd meeting of employers to-day, at which the mercantile, manufacturing, agricultural and pastoral interests were strongly represented, passed resolutions approving of legitimate unionism, but condemning the action of the Maritime Council, declaring that no reason had been shown for the present strikers, and sympathising with the Union Company and pledging support to tho company. An association was formed, under the title of tho Free Association of Employers and Workmen of Hawke's Bay, and the following constitution was adopted: — (1) To immediately enroll all classes of the community. All employers, while not refusing to employ Unionists, hereby pledge themselves to give the preference to member? of thiti Association, when vacancies occur. (2) To establish a Board of Conciliation for the settlement of all disputes, this Board to consist of both employers and workmen. :i. To improve the conditions of all classes of workers. 4. To establish a fund for tho protection of members, and to establish an accident fund for the benefit, of the workers, such funds to be provided by the employers only. 5. To establish and affiliate with similar associations throughoutt.no colony,whereby members of this Association will be assured that employment when offering shall not be denied them should they change their abode to other parts of the colony. 6. No entrance fee or subscription shall be levied on workers. 7. The entrance fee for employers shall be one pound (£1) and tho minimum annual subscription shall be two pounds (£2), buo members are expected to contribute in aroportion to the stake they hold in the colony. S. None but subscribers shall be entitled to vote, and no subscriber shall have more than one vote. A donation oi £250 shall constitute life membership, with a permanent Reat upon the Council. 10. The entrance fee shall be set apart for tho accident fund. 11. All revenue other than entrance fees shall be applied to the protection fund. 12. The Council shall bo empowered to transfer moneys from the protection fund to the accident fund. Ib is contemplated to reimburse out of the protection fund financial losses members may incur through any boycott of the unions. Sixty-five membera at once joined, and over £6000 were subscribed to the protection fund. It is anticipated the fund will reach £10,000. Offices have been taken, and the enrolment of working members will commence tomorrow. The matter has been most enthusiastically taken up in the town and country.