WATERSIDE WORKERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6269, 24 July 1907, Page 9

WATERSIDE WORKERS

FEDERATION’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual conference of delegatee to the New Zealand Waterside Workers Federation was resumed yesterday morning, Mr J, King presiding. REMITS. Mr McLaren moved—“ That the conference urge upon the Government the need of regular three monthly inspections of chips and wharf gear In connection with fcho coastal and intercolonial trade by a competent insiiector. —Curriocl, Mr Terry moved—“ That the Government bo anked to amend tho Harbours Act to provide that a waitable Kite and building shall bo sot apart for the exclusive use of inoa employed as casual wharf labourers at each port, and all such places shall be provided with hot and cold water, baths, and lookers ior the men." —Carried, The conference went into committee to consider the following remit" That the Oscillation and Arbitration Act bo to amended as to provide t'hat where preforonco is granted to members of a union it fihall not debar any member of another union from going to work m the trade or occupation with winch the hrst named union Is connected."—An arnend-m-ent was moved by Mr Way, seconded by Mr D. McCarthy, “That it be a recommendation to the executive of the Trades’ and Lalxnir Council that where ii financial member of one union shall desire to transfer to another union he shall bo enabled to do so without notice of resignation from his former union, or without payment of another entrance fee."—The amendment was loeit by o vot-os to ( J, and the motion was also lost. On the motion of Mr McLaren, it was decided to approach the Government with respect to the registration of the supply of men available for work on the wharves. Mr McLaren moved—“X’luit this conference urge upon tho Government tho need for tho abolition of tho Customs duties levied on flour and potatoes."—

Curried. Air McLaren moved—‘'That tho conference affirm the principle that the worker*’ real betterment will bo effected by the abolition of tUo economic bystem for production for profit and the substitution of a system of production for use/' —Carried. Mr 11. 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 maimer that they will be protected by the Workmen’s Compensation Act. - ” —Carried. Mr Way moved—“ That in each centre wharf labourers be given representation on Harbour Boards.”—Carried. Mr Way moved —“That the Conciliation and Arbitration Act be amended so that where a case is freed the citation of the principal employers and the advertisement of the tiling of the dispute shall be sufficient notification to all those who are employers in the particular trade affected by the dispute/—Carried. l , 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 belong 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 tho Government Railway Department, the department bo joined as a party thereto, and be subject to its provisions.”—Car ried. NATIONALISATION OF FOOD SUPPLIES. Mr Way, an Auckland delegate, moved—“ That the conference urges on tho Government the .necessity for the nationalisation of the food supplies of the colony/' Speaking to his motion, he said it was the most important tho 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 wages, while the cost cf living had advanced 30 per cent- Every move the workers made to benefit their class was checkmated by the fellows with the grip on tho stomachs and tho 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.