MILLHANDS AND BUSHMEN'S UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8354, 6 September 1890, Page 6

MILLHANDS AND BUSHMEN'S UNION.

A meeting of the members of the Millhands and Bushmen's Union was held last night at the Catholic Institute. There was a very large attendance, and -Mr. T. H. White, president of the Union, occupied the chair. The business was of more than ordinary importance. The Union at a previous meeting had asked the Trades and Labour Council as to tho terms on which they could affiliate, and they wero directed to submit their rules. This was done, and the matter had been considered at the meeting of the Trades and Labour Council on the previous evening. There was no official communication, but the secretary reported that the Union could not be allowed to affiliate with the Trades and Labour Council so long as it had amongst its members managers or sub-managers who had the power to discharge or take on men. The chairman (who is foreman in tho Kauri Timber Company's mills) said he had heard that he and other sub-managers were to bo called on to resign, as they would be inad mi&sablo to the Trades and Labour Council, and he had further heard that it was stated that ho (the chairman) was here for a purpose. The gentleman who said this had a very poor opinion of human nature. (A voice: He was no gentleman.) If they wero determined to affiliate with the Trades and Labour Council they must do so without his assistance, and that of three or four other members. If they wanted to join the Trades and Labour Council he could not join them. There had been a talk of calling out the mill hands, but he pointed out that under the rules of this Union no one could call them out, for the rules specified that in the event of any grievance arising it must bo submitted to the executive, and if they could not adjust it, it must then be referred to tho Trades' and Labour Council, and if they failed to make an arrangement they alone could causo a strike. Knowing that rule when he was asked if the mill hands and biishmen were going out he said no; that ho, as one of the executive, had heard of no grievance, and nothing had been referred to the Trades and Labour Council. After some discussion, Mr, White, Mr. Good, Mr. Smith, and tho foremen of other mills, retired from the meeting, in order to leave the matter open for discussion ; for, as the chairman pointed out, if they decided to become affiliated with the Trades and Labour Council they could not remain, and he had no desire to influence the meeting. Mr. White, before vacating tho chair, thanked the members for their uniform courtesy, and hoped that the noxt chairman would do as he did his best to conduct the meetings of the Union properly. On the motion of Mr. Foley a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. White, and he was greeted with three hearty cheers as ho rose from tho chair. On the motion of Mr. Desmond cheers were also given for the other bosses as they retired from the room. Mr. McKinstry then moved "That tho matter of affiliation with the Trades and Labour Council be deferred until such time as they had official correspondence with the Trades and Labour Council, and obtained a copy of their rules." The chairman said that it would be unfair to the gentlemen who had retired not to come to some decision at once. Mr. Desmond then moved, "That this Union affiliate with tho Trades and Labour Council." There was a good deal of discussion, and several amendments wore proposed. The Chairman declined to put Mr. McKinstry's motion, and that proposed by Mr. Desmond was finally carried. Mr. McKinstry objected to Mr. Foley's ruling as to not putting his motion, and tendered his resignation as treasurer and as a member of the executive, but Mr. Foley said ho could not receive his resignation. On tho motion of Mr. Desmond it was agreed to take steps to give effect to the resolution carried. After the transaction of some other business, the meeting terminated.