THE MILL AND BUSHMENS UNION AND TAIRUA MILL EMPLOYEES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8386, 14 October 1890, Page 6

THE MILL AND BUSHMENS UNION AND TAIRUA MILL EMPLOYEES.

On Saturday evening, the 4th October, a public meeting was held in the Tairua Hall. The meeting was not called by the management of tho mills, but on behalf of the em-

ployes. Mr. Eastgate, who was voted to ! the chair, said that information had reached Tairua that delegates from the Mills and Bushmen's Union were about to visit the district, with a view to get them to join. The present meeting was called so as to give the Kauri Timber Company's employes an opportunity of arriving at a decision whether it was advisable to join the union. He (the speaker) did not consider there was any necessity to go outside tho influence of tho Knights of Labour, to which body they nearly all belonged. Up to the present time many old standing grievances, and from which employes at country mills had been suffering for years under the various ownerships, had been swept away. By joining another union complications .of a serious nature might arise anil cause unnecessary trouble. Mr. T. J. Edwards, manager of the Kauri Timber Company here, said ha wished to say a few words in reference to the Mill and Bushmen's Union. He understood that delegates would bo here shortly to get mill and bush hands to join ; and, in view of tho approaching visit to tins district, he wished to point out to those present and otherwise the effect the present agitation has had on the colony, and in cousequence the Kauri Timber Company have been forced to shut down half their Auckland mill, and a great many of their branch mills aro only working half-time. If the present state of affairs were prolonged, and the outlet for the timber blocked, he was afraid that the compauy would bo forced to reduce the present output of their mills in future. He wished, therefore, to urge on them, as much in their own interest as in the company's, to consider carefully the probable effect of their action beforo deciding to place themselves in a union which may be affiliated with other unions, and bind themselves blindly to obey the commands of those in power, and render themselves liable to be called out on strike at any time without knowing tho reason why. They all knew that tno directors of the Kauri Timber Company had met them as Knights of Labour in a true spirit of desiring to act fairly and justly as employers ; and he felt justified in saying that so long as they did not ;nk too much, the directors would always be willing to meet them in the same spi~it as heretofore. He stated that there was a good feeling existing between the company and its employes, and that they were all contented and satisfied with the prompt attention paid to tho grievances brought to their notice. But he wished them to distinctly understand I that the present state of the timber trade would not allow of any increase of cost of production, and it further demands were made just now, the company would be forced to reduce or shut down a number of its branches for a time. If they waited until trade revived, and the present agitation settled, and if any complaints should be forthcoming, then would be the time to bring them forward, and he felt sure the directors would meet them and endeavour to grant their wishes as far as tho interests of the company would allow. They had their own union as Knights of Labour to represent them, and he thought they must see that such representation was sufficient for all requirements. Mr. Edmonds proposed, and Mr. Bull seconded, "That whereas the employes of the Kauri Timber Company, Tairua, belong to the Knights of Labour, this meeting considers it undesirable to join the Mills and Bushmen's Union, and that one and all should stick together, and be loyal to considerate employers." Carried unanimously. Mr. Ski;, proposed, and Mr. W. Smith seconded, "That this meeting of employes express to the directors of the Kauri Timber Company their acknowledgments for the open and ready manner in which they have met their wishes." Carried.

Mr. Neil said thai the Knights of Labour were by the Kauri Timber Company in tho right spirit ; uot as a union of men which was likely to run into strikes because they could not get all the men wanted at once, but as a body whoso objects seem to be to study thotruts interest of the working man by getting grievances remedied in a conciliatory manner. He believed that the Kauri Timber Company's directors would meet the Knights of Labour in the same spirit in future ; that was, in a fair and just manner.

Some references were mado to the prices of poods charged in the company's store. Mr. Edwards said the prices had been reduced so as to meet the customers, who could now purchase whore thoylikdd. Mr. Field said that he had prepared lists whereby at least lojwr cent, was taken oil' the prices of goods. Mr. Thomson' spoke as to the fair manner the Kauri Timber Company's directors had met the men through the Knights of Labour, and considered it unnecessary to have connection with the Mills and Bushmen's Union.

A vote of thanks to the chairman termi nated the proceedings. —[Own Correspondent. J