WATERSIDE WORKERS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1847, 31 July 1907, Page 49

WATERSIDE WORKERS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Delegates to the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Conference met on Monday morning at No. 40,. Willis street, Mr T. King, president, in the chair. The following delegates were present: —Messrs T. King (president), G. Terry, T. Smith (Wellington), J. S. Fitzmaurice (Gisborne), W. T. Barnes, T. Radcliffe, H. R. Yoyce, J. Reid (Lyttelton), A. C. Hubbard (Dunedin), James Goodall, J. Jackson (Greymouth), E. E. Canhani and R. J. Way (Auckland). WORDS OF WELCOME. The chairman expressed the hope that the business done at the conference would be for the benefit of the waterside workers of the colony. Mr D. McLaren, the general secretary, said all affiliated unions were directly represented by-delegates. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The annual report stated that the federation had commenced with five unions in affiliation, with an approximate membership of 1200. There were now eight affiliated unions, the numerical strength being roughly 2400. Successful efforts had been made in the matter of organisation, and it was hoped that the federation would prove a strong factor in the labour movement and a solid good to the thousands of workmen who earned their living on the wharves throughout New Zealand. The year s working results had concluded with a surplus of £4 ss, and it was hoped that the beginning, though small, would increase rapidly. Registration of the Gisborne Union had been cancelled, but tney had been advised what steps to take in the matter of re-registration to enable their case to be gone on with. The federation should this year concentrate their efforts in the endeavour to secure preference for all the unions dealing with labour on wharves. The matter would be pressed again in Wellington—where the principle had.always been bitterly fought by the employers. . At an early date, it the federation continued to work ( in liarmonv, members might look forward to a rich harvest from their united labours as the years rolled on. The report and bMance-sheet were adopted. LIMITATION OF WEIGHTS.

Mr Hubbard (Dunedin) moved—" That Parliament be asked to legislate in the *■ direction of limiting the size of coal baskets and grain bags." Seconded by Mr Canham (Auckland). During a discussion it was pointed out that the size of both coal baskets and grain bags were such that men could not handle them without risk of serious accident. It was urged that coal baskets should go five to the ton, and grain bags should not hold more than 2001 b. A voice : The Farmers' Union are too strong To this it was retorted that the federation had not been sufficiently alive to their own interests. A Lyttelton delegate pointed out that under the present /conditions men at his port had to carry grain sacks, weighing 2431 b, from 8 o clock in the morning until 5 o’clock at night. The motion was carried, it being understood that the federation should ask that coal baskets should he not less than five to the ton, carrying baskets twelve to the ton, and grain sacks to hold not more than 2001 b. . REPORTING ACCIDENTS. Mr ITubbard (Dunedin) moved, and Mr Way (Auckland) seconded —"That the Government be asked to introduce a system by means of which accidents to waterside workers shall he reported to and inquired into by a Government official." It was contended by Mr Way that if this were done it would prevent many persons being defrauded, as was the case at present. It was mentioned that in one -instance a member of the legal profession had charged a widow for every possible item he could in connection with an action for compensation, and the bill of costs would be brought before the Law Society, to see if some redress could not be obtained. , . The motion was carried unanimously. PAYMENT FOR MEDICAL ATTENDANCE. Mr D, McLaren (Wellington) moved—- " That in cases of accident the industry should bear the full charge of medical attendance required by the worker incapacitated." He contended that this was a legitimate way to deal with such cases. Mr Terry (Wellington), in seconding the motion, said that in cases where injured men were able to just barely walk they were left to look after themselves. The motion was carried without dissent. AN EMBLEM OF UNIONISM. Mr McLaren (Wellington) moved—- " That the question of a common badge or button', to he worn by members of all unions in the federation, be considered, with the view of adopting a uniform plan.”—The motion was carried, and it was further decided, on the proposition of Mr Voyce, “That it be optional to affiliated unions-whether they adopted a badge or button." A comiqittee was then set up to consider the question of a design. The conference then adjourned until Ift aim; to-day. The annual conference of delegates to the New Zealand Waterside Workers Federation was resumed Tuesday morning, Mr J. King presiding. REMITS. Mr McLaren moved—" That the conference urge upon the Government the need of regular three monthly inspections of ships and wharf gear m connection with the coastal and intercolonial trade by a competent inspector. GarMr Terry moved —"That the Government be asked to amend the Harbours Act to provide that a suitable site and building shall be set apart for the exclusive use of men employed as casual wharf labourers at each port, and all such places shall be provided with hot. and cold water, ■ baths, and lockers tor the men.”—Carried. -

The conference went into committee to consider the following remit:—"That the Conciliation and Arbitration Act be so amended as to provide that where preference is granted to members of a union it shall not debar, any member of another union from going to work in the trade or occupation with which the first named union is connected."—An amendment was moved by Mr Way, seconded by Mr D. McCarthy, "That it be a recommendation to the executive of the Trades’ and Labour Council that where a financial member of one union shall desire to transfer to another union he shall be enabled to do so without notice of resignation from his former union, or without payment of another entrance fee."—The amendment was lost by 5 votes to 9, and the motion was also lost. On the motion of Mr McLaren, it was decided to approach the Government with respect to the. registration oi the supply of men available for work oil the wharves. Mr McLaren moved— That this conference urgo upon the Government the need for the abolition of the Customs duties levied on flour and potatoes."— Carried. *•/ Mr McLaren moved — That the conference affirm the principle that the workers' real betterment will be effected by the abolition of the economic system for production for profit and the substitution of a system of production for use."—Carried. Mr R. Way moved—" That the conference approach the Government to secure the insurance of members by unions with the Government Insurance Company against sickness and death other than that caused in such a manner that they will be protected by Workmen s Compensation Act." —Carried. Ml* Way moved —"That in each centre wharf labourers be given representation on liar coni* Boards." —Carried.. Mr Wav moved —"That the Conciliation and Arbitration Act be amended so Ciiat wiiere a case is freed the citation of the principal employers, and the advertisement of the thing of the dispute sbail bo sufficient notification to all those who are employers in the particiiia r trade affected !>j the dispute."—Carried. Mr 'Way moved —"That the Federation approach the Government to secure the passage of a Fair Rents Bill." —Carried. Mr Jackson moved —"That section 116 of the Industrial conciliation and Arbitration Act be amended to include that whenever and wherever wharf labourers oeiong to a registered union and governed by an award of the Court or industrial* agreement in connection with the transport industry, and are in the employ of the Government Railway Department, the department be joined as a party thereto, and be subject to its previsions." —Ca fried. NATIONALISATION OF FOOD Mr Way, an Auckland delegate, moved —"That the conference urges on the Government the necessity for the narionalL avion of the food supplies of the colony. '

Speaking to his motion, he said it was the most important the conference had to consider. The late Mr Seddon had been imbued with the necessity for the nationalisation of the food supplies. During the last few years there had been an increase of 6 per cent, in wage's, while the cost of living had advanced 30 per cent. Every move tlie workers made to benefit their class was checkmated by the fellows with the grip on the stomachs and the wages of the people. He did not mean that the" Government should at once nationalise everything. Mr Way hoped the workers of the colony would unanimously agree to his proposal. The. conference did so without dissent. Tho conference of delegates to the Waterside Workers' Federation was resumed last Wednesday, Mr T. King presiding. Mr T. Smith (Wellington) moved: — "That the Government be requested to further amend the Harbours Act in the direction of requiring the various Harhour Boards of the colony to provide an ambulance, bandages and other requisites of first aid, so that there may be no delay in aiding and securing the removal of workers injured on or about the wharves under their control." — Carried. Mr McLaren moved :—"That this conference sends its warmest greetings and expression of good-will to the Australian Waterside Workers' Association, and that their president (Mr W. M. Hughes, M.L.A.) bo congratulated on his very able services rendered at the Marine Conference recently held in London, and that similar fraternal greetings be sent to the International Transport Workers' Federation."—The motion was carried unanimously. The conference then went into committee to consider the organisation of the federation and the election of officers.