THE LUMBER TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10633, 5 July 1920, Page 3

THE LUMBER TRADE

FEDERATION CONFERENCE BUSINESS CONCLUDED: MANY RESOLUTIONS PASSED. The annual conference- of the New Zealand Timber Workers' Federation concluded at the Trades Hall late on Saturday afternoon. The president, Mr B. Phelan, was in tho chair. INSPECTION OF MACHINERY. It was resolved on the motion ol Messrs F. Turley and B. Topp (Westland) :—"That the Government be re quested to instruct the Inspection of Machinery Department to make it compulsory for ah inspectors of machinery to see that breast-bench saws are protected by a 'finn,' and that all locomotives hare effective brakes attached and kept in good working order." Mr Turley stated that it was option, al with inspectors at present as to whether they insisted on tho provision of such safeguards, with the result that some inspectors did their duty, whilst others displayed more consid. eration for tho sawmillswnors' pockets than the safety of the workmen ASSISTANCE TO WORKERS.

On tho motion of the Westland delegates it was also decided to request tho Government to amend the Pensions Act to provide adequate pensions for all widows nnd orphans. Mr T. O'Byrne (Southland) moved: —"That the Government be urged to amend tho Bankruptcy Ant, 190 S, in tho direction of providing that all workers' wages shall be a first claim on the property of a bankrupt, as, under tho present Act wages have fourth claim only." Mr F. Turley seconded the motion, which was carried. Conference also adopted a Southland remit to tho effect that th* Government be urged to amend the Accommodation Act, which applies to sawmillers, to provide that where necessary the employer shall provide proper and sufficient accommodation for married men and their families. The mo\er, Mr O'Byrne, pointed out that single men were catered for under the Act, but not married men. ONE BIG UNION. Mr F. Turley moved the adoption of the Westland remit:—"That conferlenco favourably consider tho one big union scheme, with a -universal ticket, and to urge all unions in the industry to give same their serious consideration; also draw up a scheme with rules etc., to submit to all unions m the. industry." Mr B." Topp seconded the motion. Mr E. Phelan moved as an amendment: —"That the secretary- be requested to communicate with all unions linked up with the federation aslp ing them to take a ballot of their members on the question of forming one big- union of timber, workers throughout. New Zealand." Mr H. Hunter seconded tho amendment, which was carried. ARBITRATION ACT. It was resolved on the motion of Messrs E. Phelan and T. £> 'Byrne to request the Government to amend tho Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Act by deleting the provisions in section 107, providing that a postal ballot of all the members of a union must be taken to secure confirmation of a resolution pagsed at a special meeting of the union, convened for tho purpose, to cite the employers before the Council of Conciliation or Arbitration Court for a new agreement. award, or an enforcement of same. "It !was generally admitted that the ballot j was .an unnecessary trouble; and, expense, and served no useful'purpose.' An Auckland remit ro provisions for suitable accommodation for workers, to bathe, have their meals, dry their clothes, etc., at sawmills, and one from Westland in a similar direction were consolidated as follows, on tlje motion of Messrs Read and Pbelan: "Seeing that tho workers are compelled to put in over half their working hours in industry, this conference affirms that tho conditions of labour should be such as are fit for human beings. We find that in the timber industry there is no recognition of this principle, and wo recommend that to overcome this difficulty provision bo immediately made for dining halls, bath-rooms, drying rooms, and facilities for storing and other private property of the workers."

MISCELLANEOUS. Tho following remits from Westland woro adopted on the motion of Messrs Turley and Topp:— "The provision of an eight-hour day from mill to mill for bushmen." "That legislation bo enacted prohibiting tho employment of either boyß or , girls under sixteen years of ago in connection with bush sawmills." "That the Government be urged to appoint inspectors to inspect bridges, tram lines and skids, in connection with the timber milling industry, to ensure satisfactory provision." "That copies of conference decisions bo supplied to. the Labour members of Parliament with a request that they endeavour to have same given effect to." "That the Government be again requested to grant an amnesty to all offenders against tho Military Service Act nnd War Regulations." It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs Phelan and Turley that a levy of 6d per member be struck on all members of the Federation. ADVISORY BOARD. Messrs E. Phelan, T. O'Byrne, F. Turley, and H. Hunter were reappointed as the Advisory Board for the next twelve months. It was resolved to make arrangements with the members of Cabinet to rcceivo a deputation to convey the Federation's decisions to the Government. LOCATION OF EXECUTIVE. It was decided "That tho executive bo located at Christchurch for tho ensuing twelve months, and that the next conference bo held at Wellington in 1921." VOTES OF THANKS. A hearty vote of thanks and appreciation was passed to the secretary, Mr H. Hunter, for his work during the past year, 'and an honorarium of £ls was granted. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers and executive. A vote of thanks and congratulation was passed to tho King Country Workers' l/nion for its work in organising the timber workers in tho _ district, along with a promise to assist it to obtain a satisfactory agreement with the employers. Mr F. Langston,_ who attended tho conference as a visitor from the King Country Union, thanked the delegates for their vote, and undertook to recommend his union to affiliate with tho Federation immediately. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded tho business.