WORLD OF LABOUR

Southland Times, Issue 17621, 8 April 1914, Page 6

WORLD OF LABOUR

THE NEW FEDERATION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright 1 SYDNEY, April 7. The Telegraph, In a leader referring to the new Federation of Labour, says—••Unless behind it all there Is some invisible benevolent Intention, the existence of which is nol easy to imagine, it seeriis that, the aim is not to prevent a mighty industrial conflagration, as was said would be done in the New Zealand case, but rather to facilitate the spread Of industrial fire. TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES' UNION. On Sunday morning a meeting of the Tramway Employees' Union was held in the Trades Hall, twenty-three members being’ present. The meeting was called for the consideration of Conductor Taylor's case, and on hearing the facts a deputation was appointed to place the case before the tramways committee. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow—President. Mr, W. N e will I; vice-presidents, Messrs A. Murdock, R. Guildford: committee. Messrs Meadows, Abbott, Bowes. Officer, Crosble. Elliott and Riordan: secretary, Mr J. B. Johnstone: treasurer, Mr A. White; auditor, Mr F. Spilth. A deputation was also appointed to wait on the tramways committee to plage before them several matters in which they considered" they had legitimate cause for complaint. The principle of these grievances were—-1. That conductors did not receive receipts for takings paid into the office; 2. That the.present method of changing the destination boards was dangerous to the employees: 3. That the meal reliefs were irregular and did not allow of the employees having regular meals. Other matters are also included in the list. , PLUMBERS' UNION. The monthly meeting of the Plumbers' Union was held in the Trades Hall last evening. Mr A. Redman, president, occupvlng the chair. Mr G. Fear was appointed to represent the Union at the meeting to be held on April 20 for the purpose of forming a political party. It was decided to request the Inspector of Factories to take action against certain employers with regard to ■hreaches of the award. Mr Redman, who acted as delegate at •the annual conference of the Federation iof Plumbers, recently held in Wellington, gave an interesting resume of work accomplished and a vote of thanks was passed him for his valuable services. The executive was instructed to make 1 the necessary arrangements for holding the annual social. Accounts amounting to three pounds fourteen shillings and sixpence were passed for payment. iiAWMILL WORKERS. MONT HLY MEET IN G. The monthly meeting of the Sawmill .Workers' Union was attended by the following:—Mr A. Bulman (president) and Messrs J. Alsweiler, J. Owens, T. Oarson, E. Bridgman. M. Ryan, George Williams and J. Neil. Mr Alsweiler. delegate from the Union on the Labour Council, of which he is secretary, reported that the Council were not now using the hall, and that several unions were going elsewhere to hold their meetings. The Trades Council had ■consequently abandoned the hall. With reference to a case of a married •member who was reported to be in ,Btraitened circumstances, the secretary .tvas instructed to make enquiries. Mr J. Alsweiler. secretary of the New 'Zealand 'Timber Workers' Federation, reported that there were only a few affiliated unions that Igid sent in remits for the proposed conference at Easter. The union decided to concur with the abandonment of the conference fop this year. The committee appointed at the anr.ual meeting to purchase a motor cycle .for the secretary, reported that they had obtained a 20-horsepower motor car. It was pointed out that it could bo used for the convenience of members, and that, in the event of accidents happening in mill or bush, it would be of great •service in conveying the injured to town.—The action of the committee was endorsed.

Mr j. Alsweiler. who was president of the union from I9OS to 1.914. was presented with a gold medal in recognition Of Lia valuable services to the Union.