NATIONAL UNION OF UNEMPLOYED.

Otaki Mail, 3 July 1933, Page 2

NATIONAL UNION OF UNEMPLOYED.

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEETS. Consequent (upon the inauguration of the National Union of Unemployed at a conference, recently held in Wellington, the Provincial Council of the Union was set up in Palmerston North on the 25th inst. Delegates from the various branches in tho ManawatuWanganui Province assembled in the Labour Party's Rooms, Fitzherbert Street. Mr T. Gregan, member of tho jNational Council, explained the purpose of the meeting to assembled delegate* and visitors from the Palmeretou N. J associations. In order that the unemployed should express a united voice it was necessary, he said, that the machinery requisite to such expression should be set up in as near as possible the centre of the Province. Palmerston North being central, it had been decided to set up the Council in that city. For some two years or more the various organisations throughout New Zealand had been endeavouring to form ono big union of unemployed, but through various causes, such attempts as were made proved abortive. The National Union of Unemployed provided the machinery for carrying into effect the '-'one big union idea." The setting up of the Provincial Council was of a permanent nature but the election of officers on this occasion would be provisional only, as much organising work was necessary in order to have the various associations affiliated to the Union. By the 31st August next, it was hoped that complete affiliation of the Province would be accomplished. The assembled delegates would then have the opportunity of electing term officers and electing their national councillor for the Province.

After the formal setting up of the Council, Mr Gregan called for nominations for the temporary offices of President and secretary. Mr G. F. Ilemmingson (Shannon) was elected to the office of President and -Mr T. Gregan (Levin) was elected to the office of organising secretary.

Mr Gregan then invited Mr Ilemmingson to take the chair, and aftei having dealt with matters referred tc the Council by the National Seeretar iat at Wellington, the Chairman open ed the meeting to a general discussioi on organisation.

The Secretary traversed the ground of attempts to unite the ranks of unemployed, and the work done at various conferences. Whatever the failures of the past, he was sure the newunion was tho one thing necessary to enable the unemployed to express a united voice. He read and explained the constitution and objects of the National Union of Unemployed. The union was a non-party organisation. It was not necessary that any organisation should sink its identity; all that was necessary was affiliation with the National Organisation and the machinery for one voice was complete. He invited visitors from the Palmerston North Associations to take part in the discussion and he assured them, as a member of the National Council, that he and those associated with him would do their utmost to help in organising their various associations. Mr A. A. Yule, hon. secretary of the Palmerston North Home Protection League explained the position in respect of his Association. Although organisation in the city was not at j.resent flourishing, he assured the Council that he and his Association would assist 'both morally and financially in an endeavour to unite the unemployed 'in one big union. Mr R. S. Redward, President of Home Protection League, supported Mr Yule in his assurance that hi.- Association would do all it could to help. Personally he was of opinion the time was ripe for the setting up of a national union. The cry on all sides was for

"one big union." Mr Mandono, United Worker* Movement, P.N., thanked the secretary fur inviting the members of his organisation to be present at the meeting. While welcoming any movement having for its object the betterment of the working classes, he wished to remind his hearers that his own organisation, the United Workers' Movement, was a national one and that any statement he or his co-delegates made at the meeting could not be taken as being official. It would be necessary for them to report back to their organisation and he as secretary of the Palmerston North branch would communicate with Mr Gregan in due course. Two other delegates from the United Workers' Movement, P.N., spoke in a similar strain. Messrs Martin (Foxton), Feil (Shannon) and Jamieson (I'okomaru) explained the position in their respective centres and suggested way.- and means of assisting organisation. A vote of thanks was accorded the visitors by acclamation for their attendance and interest. A vote of thanks was also accorded the officers of the Home Protection League for their courtesy in arranging for reception of delegates and for providing for the hire of the hail.