OPERATIVE BUTCHERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23226, 25 June 1937, Page 13

OPERATIVE BUTCHERS

DUNEDIN AND SUBURBAN UNION The annual meeting of the Dunedin and Suburban Operative Butchers’ Union was held in the Returned Soldier’s Club rooms on Monday last. The president (Mr H. T. Nicholson* presided,dyer/a r large- atTheaunual report and balance- sheet showed the union to be in a very prosperous position. The election of :officers resulted as f ollows:---i’resideht, ,Mr;|:C. son (re-elected); Mr A. H. Qvam; treasurer, MrA.Orr (re-elected); auditors, Messrs Kennedy and Christie; trustees, Messrs D. Bain and H. T. Nicholson; committee—Messrs Kirkham, D. Bain, Kennedy, Roberts and Broad; Social Committee—Messrs Kirkham, Qvam, Broad, Young, Marks; Edwards, and Kennedy. At the conclusion of the business a social evening was held, the members being joined by master butchers of the association. / After the loyal toast had been honoured, Mr Qvam proposed a toast to the master butchers. Amongst some workers, he said, the employers were looked upon as the natural enemy of the employees, but he was pleased to say that he had • not found that the case with the master butchers, who had always met them in a most fair spirit, Mr Henderson, who responded to the toast, said that htr understood that the main object of the meeting was to do honour to the retiring secretary, Mr R. C. Wilson, who had held that office for 15 years. On behalf of the master butchers he wished to say that they appreciated the courtesy and tact which had always been shown them by the retiring secretary. They all regretted very much that the time had come for his retirement and sincerely trusted that he would be yet spared for many years to be able to enjoy his well-earned rest. Mr A. Orr, proposing the toast of the retiring secretary, said that 15 years ago when Mr Wilson was appointed the union was in a very low state. The secretary had had a hard time in trying to build up the union. At times it was difficult to get a quorum, but owing to his excellent work the union was now in a most, prosperous condition. The president, presenting the secretary with an easy chair, suitably inscribed, commended Mr Wilson upon the highly capable manner in which he had carried out his duties. The union very much appreciated the work that he had done. He assured him that the gift carried with it the very best wishes of all the members of the union. He trusted that Mr Wilson would in his declining days be granted peace and contentment. Mr Wilson thanked the members for their good wishes. All disputes in his time had been settled by conciliation, and the master butchers had always met them in a fair spirit. He thanked the members of the union for the consideration and respect that they had always shown him and also expressed his appreciation to the master butchers for the courteous manner in which they had always met him. He also wished to express his thanks to Mr Mirams, secretary of the Master Butchers’ Union, who, he regretted, was unable to be present. In Mr Mirams “they had a most' capable secretary. The toast of the newly-appointed secretary, Mr Riach, was given by Mr Bain, and responded to by Mr Riach, who thanked them for the honour that they had conferred on him. It would be his endeavour to work up to the standard set by the retiring secretary. The toast of “ The Butchers’ Union ” was proposed by' Mr R. Vercoe, who referred to the good that had been done by the union on behalf of the members. The hours of labour had been reduced and wages increased. He urged that the younger members should be loyal to their union, Mr Christie, who replied to the toast, said that when he was a younger man he was inclined to look upon the master butchers with suspicion, but after meeting them at various conferences, he had come to the conclusion that they were a fine , lot of men. He sincerely trusted } that the harmony that existed be- ! tween the parties would continue, and that they would all continue to work for the benefit of the industry Songs were contributed during the evening by Messrs T. Baehop and T Bolwell, and humorous recitations were given by Mr A. Edwards. The accompanist was Mr A. H. Pettitt.