UNITED FEDERATION OF LABOUR

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 54

UNITED FEDERATION OF LABOUR

CONFERENCE AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON. July 7. A conference of unions convened by the United Federation of Labour, for the purpose of further solidfying the forces of Labour and linking up with the recentlyformed Federation of Labour in Australia, met this morning, 74 delegates being present. Air J. Rigg (Wellington) was appointed chairman, Mr D. J. Sullivan deputychairman, and Mr P. H. Hickey secretary. The following is the official report of the proceedings supplied to the press: — The conference met at 10 o’clock thus morning, 74 delegates being present. I urther dolegateo will arrive to-day and tomorrow, bringing the total number, it is expected, no to about 100. Mr J. Dowgray (vice-president of the United Federation of Labour) welcomed the delegates. Mr J. Rigg, cx-M.L.C., was elected chairman, and Mr D. J. Sullivan (representing the Canterbury Furniture Trades’ Union) deputychairman. Mr P. H. Hickey was appointed secretary. It was decided that, with the exception of the Maoriland Worker representative, the press bo not admitted. The following were appointed a Press Committee to furnish the official report:—Messrs A. Rosser, J. Donnelly. C. Sfemith, J. Townsend, and J. Road. The time for speakers was limited to five minutes each. Messrs M. Fagan, R. A, Sin-moon, and G. vStono were appointed a Credentials Committee to examine the credentials of all delegates, to see that only bona fide representatives are present. Air Rosser moved a hearty vote of welcome to the Labour M.P.’s who were present on the platform. The members present were Messrs R. Webb, J. Payne, J. M‘Combs, and J. Robertson. The vote was carried bv acclamation, and Air Robertson replied on behalf of- the members. It was decided that the four members named, with the addition of Messrs W. A. Yeitch and A. H. Hind marsh, be allowed to take part in the deliberations of the conference. Air J. Dowgray was appointed timekeeper. At the afternoon sitting all the delegates present wore accnoted as members of the conference. A special committee was set up to draft recommendations, which are to be confined to the industrial form of the organisation, and the conference adiourned. • July 8.

The Labour Conference resumed this morning at 9.50, and continued till 11 o’clock, when the following motion was carried : —“ That the questions -to be considered by the committee bo (1) the best method of achieving national industrial organisation; and (2) the most effective means of consolidating the forces of Labour for the general election of this year.” It was further decided that the committee bring down its report on the industrial question first. July 9. The congress this morning adopted the preamble of the recently-formed Australian Federation of Labour. A motion that the New Zealand Federation’s title of United Federation of Labour should stand was subsequently carried on the voices. The debate on the proposed constitution was resumed after the luncheon adjournment. At the conclusion of the deliberations the following clause was referred back to the committee for redrafting : “ District councils may be established wherever three or four unions are desirous of affiliating with the organisation, provided that in the industrial centres of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin there shall only be one district council.”

Tho following clauses were adopted:—(l) In isolated districts, or wherever district councils are not practicable, any union may affiliate direct with the national executive or the nearest district council. (2) The executive, which shall consist of a president, vicepresident, secretary, and treasurer, together with an executive of nine members, shall bo tho governing authority on all matters involving the national body. Tho members of tho executive, exclusive of tho officers, shall bo elected by the members of the affiliated bodies within each of the following districts: Auckland (one member), Poverty Bay and Hawke’s Bay (one member). Nelson and Marlborough (one member), Buffer and Grey (one member), Canterbury (one member), Otago (one member), Southland (one member). (3) Tho national officers shall bo elected by a plebiscite of the whole membership of the United Federation of Labour by a preferential system of voting. (4) District councils shall consist of delegates from trade or industrial unions, and shall, so far as practicable, bo organised and governed on the lines of industrial unions. ' (5) District councils shall have full power to deal with all matters coming within the province covered by their affiliated unions, provided that all matters likely to invo’e the national body shall be submitted to tho central executive for approval. They shall have power to appoint any organisers doomed to be necessary at whatever salaries they may think fit, (6) Representation of unions upon district councils shall be determined by the council itself. The powers of bodies affiliated to district councils were under discussion when the conference rose at 5 p.m. July 10.At to-day’s meeting of the c onference convened by the Federation of Labour the following were appointed to form a deputation to ask the Minister of Justice for the release of tho strike prisoners Messrs A.' Rosser (Auckland). D. Coleman (Gisborne), J. Donnelly (Hawke’s Bay), D. Moriarty (Wellington), J. Townsend (Marlborough), J. Dowgay (West Coast), H. Hunter (Canterbury), W. M'Allen (Otago), and J. Alsweiler (Southland). At the afternoon sitting the remainder of the constitution was considered, and tho following clauses wore adopted:— Trade or industrial unions shall have complete local self-government, but under no circumstances shall they have the power to take any such step involving any other organisation in the federation. No union shall strike without first placing tho matter unreservedly in the hands of the council. No council shall involve tho national organisation in any strike without first placing tho matter unreservedly in the hands of the National Executive. Any union or district council violating the provisions herein contained, shall not receive the support of the United Federation, and shall be immediately suspended. Any district council or union so suspended shall have the right of appeal to tho annual conference, which body shall decide the penalty to bo Inflicted, the decision of the conference to be final. Notwithstanding anything contained in this clause any union shall have the right in the event of humafi life being endangered to take suclx action as its members may

deem necessary. After a dispute has been dealt with by the National Executive, and no settlement arrived at, any union called upon to cease work in support of a strike snail, if it so desires, have the right first to take a ballot on the question. Financial district councils shall pay an a initial fee of £1 for each affiliated union to the Central Executive, together with not less than 3d per member per year capitation fee. Trade or industrial unions shall pay an affiliation fee of £2 per year, together with not less than Is per member per year capitation fee, to the District Council. In cases where a union’s membership consists of both male and female workers such union shall be liable for half the above capitation in repect to such female workers. An open congress of all bona fide trade and industrial unions in New Zealand, affiliated or non-affiliated, shall be held annually, to be convened by the United Federation of Labour Executive. Representation at the open congress and the annual conference shall be as follows:—For unions of 50 members or less, one delegate; 50 to TOO, two delegates; 100 and upwards, three delegates. Voting on all questions shall be on the basis of one delegate • one vote.-

The National Executive shall call the open congress during the month of July in each year.

The officers of district councils shall be elected annually, and shall bo as follow; — President, vice-president, 'ecretary, treasurer, and members of executive (five), who shall bo elected by and from the - affiliated bodies; five to form a quorum. It was resolved that the following salaries be paid per annum: —President, £ls; secre-tary-treasurer, £SO. It was decided that nominations for the position of officers be called for during November, and that the election take place as soon as possible thereafter by plebiscite; officers to assume their duties at the end of the six months.

Nominations for provisional officers wei’e then taken as follows: —President, Mr D. G. Sullivan (Canterbury), 58 votes (elected); Mr T. Long (Auckland), 20 votes; vicepresident, Mr A. Rosser 'Auckland), 38 votes; Mr J.. Dow,gray (West Coast), 25 votes; Mr H. T. Armstrong (West Coast), 19 Votes; secretary-treasurer, Mr Mark Fagan (Inangahua Miners), 58 votes (elected); Mr J. Read (Wellington), 20 votes. A second ballot was necessary for the vice-presidency, the result beingMr Rosser, 43 votes (elected); Mr Dowgray, 33 votes. Committee —Messrs Wcstey Richards (Auckland), W. E. Parry (Palmerston North), M. Laracy /"Wellington), J. Alsweilor (Southland), W. M‘Allen (Otago), F. Ellis (Canterbury), J. Townsend (Marlborough), D. Gokler (Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bav), H. Coppersmith (West Coast). July 12. At yesterday’s conference of the United Federation of Labour Mr R, Semple was elected organiser, there being no other nomination. The political programme adopted sets forth that the Social Democratic party is the political expression of the United Federation of Labour, and therefore the conference endorsed the whole constitution of that party. The conference strongly recommended to workers to render all possible assistance to political candidates nominated by the Social Democratic party at the forthcoming election. It was decided that the question of linking up with the Australian Federation of Labour be the first order of business at the next conference.