FURNITURE TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6964, 2 November 1909, Page 8

FURNITURE TRADE

CONFERENCE OF WORKERS. FEDERATION DISCUSSED. A conference of delegates ing the working furniture trade unions of New Zealand opened its sittings in tho Beehive Chambers, Courtenay place, yesterday morning. The following delegates were present: —elUngton, Messrs W. A. Allan and D. Moriarty; Invercargill, Mr G. F. Renshaw ; Auckland. Mr H. Banfield ; Dunedin, Messrs W. S. Pattison and J. R. Wilson; Christchurch. Messrs D. G. Sullivan and T. Robertson.

Mr H. E. Swindell, vice-president of the Wellington Furniture Union, welcomed. tho delegates on behalf of his union. Tho main object of the conferonoe, ho said, was to draw up some scheme of federation for the furniture trade of the Dominion. Mr D. G. Sullivan (Christchurch) was elected chairman of the conference; and Jlr Moriarty (Wellington), secretary. Mr W. A. Allan (Wellington) moved a resolution to the effect that a federation of the furniture trades unions throughout the Dominion should be formed. This was seconded by Mr D. Moriarty (Wellington). Wellington, ho said, was in a very good position, but they ’ must look further ahead. _ I» many parts of New Zealand things were in a very sad. state. Many districts needed organising and forming up. A federation of the furniture workers would put tho trade on a better footing. There were many benefits to be derived from such an organisation. Mr W. S. Pattison (Dunedin) remarked that in the North Island many men were said to be working for lees than the standard wage. Federation would do good if it altered that state of affairs.

Mr J. R. Wilson (Dunedin) thought much good would come from federation. Air H. Banfield (Auckland) referred to the apathy displayed in Auckland in regard to such questions. The workers were “all there” if it was a question affecting their own pockets. Personally he would go a step further than federation and have amalgamation—one society and branches. The chairman said that Christchurch had looked for federation for a long time and regretted the delay which had taken place. The motion was carried unanimously. *Tho conference then ’ proceeded to discuss a draft constitution, drawn up by "Wellington. this constitution being taken as a basis for the deliberations. The rules were debated the whole day. At 5 o’clock the conference adjourned until this morning.