FISHERMEN'S GRIEVANCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14224, 22 November 1909, Page 6

FISHERMEN'S GRIEVANCES.

A UNION FORMED.

A, meeting of those engaged in the fishing industry in ■ Auckland was held on Saturday in the union rooms, Swanson-etreet, to consider the advisability of forming a I union. There was a .good attendance, representatives from all the sheds being present. Mr. J. Gallagher, the chairman, in a few preliminary remarks, urged upon those present the necessity for a union and the advantages of unionism.

Mr. R. Manning, the organiser of the movement, explained the position that had arisen between the fishermen and the merchants, saying that all along the fishermen had been at the mercy of the merchants. The fishermen had the control of the trade in their own hands, but they had allowed themselves to be dominated by the merchants. He thought that the average earnings of the fishermen in Auckland did not amount to £3 a>■ week, which was, in the speaker's opinion, just a living wage. He moved, "That this meeting resolves that a union be formed to be called the Auckland Fishermen's Union."

The motion, on a show of hands, was carried unanimously. The election of officers was then, proceeded with, the following being chosen: —President, Mr. J. Gallagher; secretary, Mr. R. Manning; treasurer, Mr. G. Norman ; trustees, Messrs. Wheeler and Reid and an executive committee.

It was resolved that the same conditions be insisted on for the next week as had been prevailing, and that a deputation wait on the merchants in respect to the boats which had been knocked off, with a view to having them reinstated. It is probable that the conference will eventuate at 11 o'clock this morning.