WATERSIDERS' UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16097, 10 December 1915, Page 9

WATERSIDERS' UNION.

ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP. CLEARANCES TO BE ACCEPTED. [bt TELEGRAPH.— press association.] Wellington, Thursday. Theke has been much talk along the Wellington waterfront of *' victimisation " by the Auckland Waterside Workers* Union, arising out of the strike. At . the New Zealand conference of Waterside Unions yesterday, the question was fully discussed, after Mr. Wood (Auckland) had moved chat a proposed clause in the federation rules relating to acceptances of clearances by all unions be deleted. Mr. Wood said his object was to have Auckland's position fully discussed. The method of election in Auckland wag by an Election Committee of 13- He contended that this method had worked most satisfactorily and bad been responsible for keeping the union clean and free from undesirables. Mr. Rickards (Auckland) stated that the policy was highly successful. No respectable man who could satisfy the committee was being refused admission. Mr. J. G. Bruce (Wellington) expressed the opinion that no union should refuse admission to members. Mr. Roberts (Wellington) appealed to Auckland to open its doors to fellowworkers, and bury the hatchet, as previously decided by the conference, a.nd to work unitedly for the common cause. Mr. Davis (Auckland) compared the conditions on the Auckland wharf to-day with those of past years, as being more than favourable. Mr. Glover, president (Wellington) stated that the rule should not prevent Auckland from joining the federation. He appealed to the Auckland Union to give the matter every consideration. They mast fee united to obtain the best possible results. Mr. Wood replied, stating that had other unions approached this delicate position in the manner in which the conference had done, and treated the Auckland Union in a similar spirit, the breach might have been healed long ago. The clause was unanimously retained.