OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND GOLD MINING INDUSTRIAL UNION OF EMPLOYEES.

Otago Witness, Volume 14, Issue 2648, 14 December 1904, Page 27

OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND GOLD MINING INDUSTRIAL UNION OF EMPLOYEES.

The fourth annual general meeting of the Otago and Southland 'Gold Mining Industrial Union of Employers was held at the secretary's office, 10 Crawford street, on Thursday afternoon, Bth inst., Mr J. C. Thomson (president) being in the chair. The following is a copy of the report for the year: — " Membership : Your executive has again ta xeoort a falling-ofi ia the membership, owing

solely to the straitened finances and the liquidation of some of the companies. Owing to this the revenue has siiffered to the extent of £53 11s as compared with last year; some of this, however, may still come in. Executive: During the year the executive has met from time to time as circumstances required, and dealt with various matters affecting the gold mining and dredging industries. They were instrumental, with the aid of the Vigilance Committee in Wellington, in getting the Mining Act amended in the way of dispensing with the half-yearly meeting, but regret having been unable to carry oiyt their wishes in securing the better protection of mining claims and privileges. The executive officers, along with the secretary, have been called upon for advice in many matters connected with the Arbitration Court's award and labour laws, and in some instances are pleased to know that they have been the means of saving companies from monetary loss and undue worry. Members are invited to consult ihe secretary if m doubt on any matter, and to make use of the union in obtaining information or assistance of any kind. Arbitration Court: The term of the award under which all dredges have been working during the past two years expired on 15th November last. The Workers' Union, taking time by the forelock, issued new conditions bearing date October 19. -These conditions, if agreed to, would mean a. considerable increase on the present cost of working, and would in many instances considerably hamper and restrict the dredgemasters in the contiol of the work, without any compensating equivalent. Your executive feels that the demands — for such they really are — are unwarranted, and therefore recommends that any proposal to increase the present rate of wages or to in any way restrict the work should be strenuously resisted. They suggest that a meeting should be held early in the year, of representatives of all the companise connected with the Otago and Southland Gold Mining Industrial Union of Employers, to draw up counter-proposals and to take steps to have their case properly put before the Arbitration Court. The labour unions have never been so strong and active nor so aggressive as they are to-day, and your executive, in consequence, stro»gly urges the desirableness of all companies joining the Employers' Union, and thus put its finances in such a position as to render it ready for any emergency that may arise. The Secretary: Mr J. M. E. Garrow, who held the position of secretary from the inception of the union, found it necessary, for private reasons, to tender his resignation in February last, which was accepted with regret. A minute was passed expressing the executive's appreciation of his many services. The vacancy has been tilled by the appointment of Mr W. Scott, who fortunately also holds the position of secretary to the Otago Employers' Association, in which last-mentioned capacity he can, and does, render additional services in the interests of gold mining."

On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr H. F. Nees, the report and balance sheet were adopted.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: — President, Mr J. C. Thomson; vice-president, Mr R. T. Wheeler; committee — Messrs G. M. Grigg, J. C. Short, Alex. Kyle, H. P. Nee 3, W. G. Somerville, H. North, and Captain Sundstrom. Mr John Davie was re- "■ appointed auditor.

It was resolved that a special meeting of the committee be held immediately after the holidays to consider the dredge-workers' demands, Mr J. Austin (of Alexandra) to be associated with the committee.

A vote of thanks to the chairman and secretary for their work and interest in the unioa was carried unanimously.