SEAMEN’S AGREEMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9621, 29 March 1917, Page 5

SEAMEN’S AGREEMENT

HUGE FIGHTING FUND PROPOSED ANNUAL LEVY ON MEMBERS. Mr W, T. Young, general secretary of the Federated. Seamen’s Union of Now Zealand, who returned to "Wellington yesterday from a visit to tho South Island, gave a “New Zealand Times” representative some interesting particulars os Ids mission. -dr Young arrived at Dunedin on last Saturday afternoon, and subsequently a special meeting of the members of the “local” branch of the union was held in tlio Trades Hall. Mr Murdo Mackenzie, the local president, occupied tho chair, and there were about 50 members present. In opening tho mooting, the chairman stated that no matter outside the report of tho general secretary would bo dealt with, jji Young then delivered his report ot the recent conference in "Wellington with the shipowners, and explained the now agreement in detail. Ino agieemout was received and subsequent!} adopted with acclamation. . At tho same mooting, also at tno meeting held in Auckland lately, resolution, which was adopted unanimously by the last monthly meeting of tho head ollico of the executive mi March 14th, was read and explained, so that the members would bo thoiou‘4ilv prepared to deal ' it when tho resolution comes before tho next meeting of the lom branoh for approval. The resolut on was to the effect that tor tho puiposo of building up and permanently retaining for all ti«iw a strong hghting fund for the union in New Zealand, a levy of £1 per member per annum for five, years bo struck If adopted by the “local” branches, as -W Y 7 oun H said he believed it would bo. tho levy for this year will be collected in July, and for the four subsequent Tears in tho month of January, ujmoot of the levy woidd bo expected in those months, hut should any membci fail to pay same, in. levy would be Cf %Tt not r anticipated said Mr Young, “that members will m an? way disapprove of this course, as the.r mcreased earning power resulting I from the now agreement will range from ido •to £4O per annum. Tho union merely asks the members to give th * ir °Jgamsation £1 a"wear. Candidly, I think no one will dbjeot to it. The office of the union estimates that through this channel in the course of five years wo will ho able to raise between 000 and £12,000. The money will he permanently reserved and not used tor the general working expenses of the union, but it will, be placed on fixed deposit. As far as 1 could gather at Auckland, the proposal was lavourab]y entertained hy tne leading members and others. This also obtained at Dunedin. The matter will be put before the Wellington members at the '•QtnsTS£~ - i r ran gem onts were made for the local rfficel'a of the union to interview the owners of the steamer Kotaro. Keith Bitmsay And Co. i and 1 the Westport Coal ck, to' dbtiiin their'Signatures to a concurrence in the mam agreement. Acting on tho advice of the union s Lvttelton reoresentative, no snips oein‘g in port'and no members ashore, Air > Young abandoned tho proposed meeting at that port- The union s representative advised that the members were fully informed by circular of tho particulars of the agreement and a largo minrber had also attended tne meeting at, Wellington at winch tho pea’ agreement was explained Owinn- to the limited time at his disposal, Mr Young was unable to do anything at Christchurch to got the local shipping companies, who were not already in the new agreement, to sign concurrences. Forms, however, will be forwarded to them with a request to sign them and return same for hiinE at the court. With regard’, to INapier, arrangements will be made by the unions representative for a date to be decided upon, convenient to local members, for holding a special meeting. Mr loung will visit that place next week. _ The now agreement is now being printed, an/J it is hoped will bo distributed To members some time next week.