THE TIMBER TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6964, 2 November 1909, Page 3

THE TIMBER TRADE

CONFERENCE OF WORKERS. PROPOSED FEDERATION - . Delegates representing the various timber workers’ unions of tho Dominion met at tho Trades Hall yesterday to consider tho formation of a New Zealand Sawmill Workers’ Federation and other matters connected with tho industry. Tho following delegates were present Southland, Messrs J. Alsweiler and T. O’Byrne; Otago, Messrs W. Garbutt, A. Tuffen; South Canterbury, Mr W. Bicknell; Canterbury, Messrs J. Deans and J. Wright; Wellington, Messrs J. K. Lyons and Wallace; Westland, Mr J. Jackson; Auckland, Mr E. Phelan. Mr J. Stallworthy, M.P., was present during a portion of tho proceedings. Mr J.' Alsweiler was president of tho conference.

The delegates were briefly welcomed by Mr Lyons, one of the Wellington delegates, who said that though the Timber Commission had presented its report it evidently had done little good so far as tho workers wore concerned. He commented upon the apathy of sawmill workers in country districts so far as union interests' were concerned and said it seemed as if tho workers were inclined to look upon tho minimum wage fixed by the Arbitration Court as the maximum one. PROPOSED FEDERATION.

Mr Tuffen • (Dunedin) introduced the subject of the proposed federation and moved— That this conference affirms the principle of federation and agrees to recommend unions to federate

into one body. Tlio meeting was unanimous in its support of the motion, the advantages to be gained from federation being considered inestimable. The conference decided to form an association called the New Zealand Sawmills, Timber Yards, and General Wood-workers Employees’ Association, and adopted a constitution, which will ho submitted to the various unions interested for approval. OTHER BUSINESS.' Tho conference affirmed the principle of unconditional statutory preference to unionists. In urging that wages be paid weekly speakers pointed out that the retention fpr ,a month of money earned by casual hands caused unnecessary hardship, and sometimes resulted in families being on the verge of. starvation. Tho conference passed no resolution on the matter, as it was pointed out that the weekly payment of wages was already provided,for under tho Wages. Protection Act. ' '

The necessity for uniformity in tho hours of men employed in allied trades was'briefly discussed.' It was said that reduction ,of hours -in connection with the timber trade in the past had led to an increase instead of a decrease in the output. The conference affirmed tho principle that forty-four hours should constitute a weekb work. Tho question of re-afforestation was discussed. Mr Phelan,'Auckland, said the industry was gradually, diminishing in the north. Tho life of the present supply available in. the Dominion, ho estimated, was about nineteen years. There was a lot of poor land which could bo used for tree-growing. It would supply useful timber for the markets and preserve the' .supply of kauri and other valuable timbers. Another speaker argued that in view of the poverty which existed and tho unemployment, the Government should be urged to go in extensively for treeplanting, thus giving the people an opportunity of earning a livelihood. A motion'.was passed urging on tho Government the necessity for re-affor-estation on the waste lands of the Dominion.

The conference will be resumed at 9.30 this morning. .