UNION CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23758, 11 September 1940, Page 11

UNION CONTROL

AUCKLAND CAEPENTEES .THE ANNUAL ELECTIONS KEEN INTEREST OF MEMBERS An attendance of over 600 members of the Auckland Carpenters' Union at the annual meeting in the Trades Hall last night signalled an awakened interest in the affairs of the union. Practically every office was contested, and when the meeting closed shortly after 11 o'clock, the scrutineers were confronted with parcels holding several thousand voting papers. The result of the voting had not been announced when the Herald went to press this morning. For the most part the meeting was fairly orderly. Occasionally, those who waited outside for the result of the voting heard applause punctuated with booing, but in the main the? proceedings were conducted in good spirit. A vigilant watch was kept at both doors at the front of the hall, and admission was secured only by the current membership card. Several men who had not paid their dues were politely but firmly refused admittance. As one member of long standing put it. the meeting was the best answer lie could find for the charge of apathy among members this year. He admitted that apathy among some unions had resulted in '"Left" sections assuming control, which had given rise to anxiety for the Federation of Labour. Like other unions, the Carpenters' Union had for some time suffered poor attendances at their general meetings.