SAWMILL WORKERS

Southland Times, Issue 20675, 22 December 1928, Page 3

SAWMILL WORKERS

THE SOUTHLAND UNION.

TWENTY-EJGHTH ANNUAL REPORT.

Following is the annual report of the Southland Sawmill Workers’ Union: In placing before members the 28th annual report and balance-sheet, your executive has much pleasure in having to chronicle another successful year, and members are to be congratulated on the sound financial position of the organization. The continual progress made by the union for the past 28 years is a shininp example of what an organization can accomplish when constant attention is given to those engaged in the industry. Finance. Although the timber industry has experienced rather a dull time during the year, the financial position of the union has been well maintained, in fact never before m the history of the organization has such a large amount of income been received, and a record has been established which is not likely to be beaten in the future, and your executive has reason to feel proud of the financial results attained. While not pinning our faith on the progress of a union entirely from the financial aspect, for the work of a union is only slightly indicated in that way, we .nevertheless contend that the results achieved go to show that the bulk of members in keeping their payments up to date are engendered with the feeling that to make their organization an effective fighting weapon the sinews of war must be provided in the shape of finance. A glance at the balance-sheet shows the fact that no less a sum than £l2OO 8/5 has been received in members’ subscriptions and interest , exceeding last year s income by £345 4/1. This achievement must be classed as being remarkable, and the most sanguine member must feel that in this respect the year’s performance would be difficult to surpass. To njembers of the union the most hearty congratulations are deserving for this fine performance, and so long as the present desire to make good predominates, there is no danger of the union looking back.

The credit balance from last year amounted to £617, and this year that sum has been increased by £295 0/5. Of the amount to credit there is on fixed deposit £220 11/9, bearing four per cent, interest, and there is a current account of £392 0/5. There is a cash loan bearing 6 per cent, interest to the Southland Trades and Labour Hall Company of £3OO. We also have 103 shares in the Hall Company, valued at £llO, and other assets amounting to £235, and their value if anything has been under-estimated, and arrears of contributions have not been taken into consideration, although they are worth their face value. However, our assets to-day exceed our liabilities by £1250 12/2. Your executive is proud of the sound financial position of the organization, which must have entailed a considerable amount of hard work by your secretary. Assistance to Members.

Members are becoming more and more alive to the fact that for the settlings of disputes and grievances, the union is a mighty weapon. During the past year the number of complaints from members has far exceeded those of any previous year, and these have invariably been promptly taken in hand and effectively dealt with. Owing to the perilous nature of timber working, the number of accidents, both minor and major, is very large, and in every instance when injured members came within scope of the Act, full compensation has been obtained for them without the payment of any fees whatever. In other cases subscription lists have been circulated at the various mills, and have met with a ready response, which goes to show the sense of brotherhood and humanitarianism that pervades the members. We regret to have to state that a large number of accidents occurred among members during the year, and at every meeting of your executive the secretary has had to report the settling of compensation for accidents of a more or less serious nature. Over £2OOO has been collected in this way, and there are some cases still awaiting settlement. The saving to members in having an organization to deal with such matters has been very great, no lawyers’ and other vexatious fees having to be paid. Indeed, the saving in this direction has amounted to a great deal more than has been the cost of the management of the union. Even workers employed in industries not organized have sought the advice and assistance of your secretary, and in no instance has such help been refused. Therefore, the credit for what has been done in this way, in allowing their officers to give time and attention to x helpless fellow-workers, is entirely due to the men employed in the timber industry. Even men opposed to unionism have made complimentary references to this fact, and on this account alone, if for no other reason, the union has thoroughly justified its existence.

Members in Arrears. It is regrettable that legal action has had to be taken against a number of members who were in arrears with their subscriptions and the unfortunate feature in connection with this has been that those who have been proceeded against have been made liable for about double the sum they would have had to pay in ordinary circumstances. This course, however, has been rendered necessary owing to complaints received from financial members, and, it may be stated, that it was only in very glaring csaes that this extreme course was followed. Neither to the union nor to members offending is such a step profitable; but no other course in the opinion of your executive was possible. No doubt the defaulters heaped a considerable amount of abuse on the head of the secretary and your executive officers, but it is a case where duty calls for action, and in the interest of the organization it was necessary to take extreme action against defaulting members. Organizing.

Organizing work has been persistently carried out during the year, and upwards of 160 days were spent in performing this duty in the different districts, with the result that over 150 new members have been enrolled, and subscriptions materially augmented, a new record having been easily established in this respect. At present there are upwards of 50 sawmills, employing over 800 men, and these have each to receive attention from the organizing secretary. Obviously, this entails considerable work, but every possible effort is made to give satisfaction to all. Circulars, reports and correspondence are regularly sent to each place, and in this connection it is perhaps worthy of note that no fewer than 12,000 circulars, letters and other communications have been circulated amongst members during the year. This gives an indication of the large amount of office work that Jias to be attended to. Members are urged to keep financial and when possible to attend meetings, so that the burden may not be dntirely borne by a few, and many helpers make the duties light and pleasant. Delegates and Willing Workers.

In comparison with the past the various delegates have, generally speaking, continued to do excellent work. It is pleasing to record that, despite the many changes in delegates and members, there are always willing workers ready to carry on the great work necessary to keep the movement in the forefront. Without the splendid efforts and devotion to duty of the delegates, the work could not be carried on successfully. It is pleasing to note that many of the old members continue to assist in the necessary work, while new ones also come forward to shoulder their share of responsibilities. Certainly, some mills have been rather lax in their work, but it is satisfactory to note that a general improvement is taking place. Members are urged to take an interest in the union, to give every assistance and encouragement to their officers, to devote time and attention to the general welfare of their own interests, realizing that each is a link in the great chain which encircles the industry, and by so doing they will cause their organization to advance and be a power in the land. So your executive’s advice is organize, agitate and educate.

Election of Office-bearers. As the nominations for office-bearers did not exceed the number required, you will be asked to elect the following members:— President, Mr Archie Chisholm (Winton) ; vice-president, Mr Alexander Brown (Poukino) ; secretary and treasurer, Mr T. O’Byrne; auditor, Mr C. E. Borne, F.P.A.N.Z.; committee, Messrs James Adams (Bush Siding), R. P. Simpson (Poukino), Janies Chalmers (Longwood), Duncan MacRae (Poukino), William Langford (Haldane), E. Pahl (Otapiri), Charles Fagrell (Bush Siding), William Patterson (Tuatapere), M. K. McDonald (Tuatapere), William Dryden (Catlins), W. Lee (Tuatapere), Matthew Bennett (Tuatapere), W. Edgerton (Lora Gorge), George Densley (Tuatapere), T. Halpin (Fairfax). New Labour Hall. Your executive cannot let this opportunity pass without congratulating those Labour unions of Southland who have been responsible for the establishment of this building that we are meeting in to-day. It is pleasing to know that the aspiration of those who have been for years past striving to provide a home for Labour, have at last their ideals an accomplished fact. And it is pleasing to note that timber workers of Southland have played a prominent part in bringing about this “Temple of Labour.” Had it not been for the convenience of this hall, the great humanitarian work carried on during the winter months in assisting the unemployed and people in distress, this work could not have been conveniently carried out. It caused many a ray of sunshine to be shed on the homes of poor people in Invercargill, who otherwise would have a sorry tale to tell. Conclusion. In conclusion your executive wishes to again place on record its heartfelt thanks for the great assistance rendered by delegates at the various mills during the year. They are entitled to the thanks and- gratitude of every member of the organization for having rendered ungrudgingly such valuable services which never will be forgotten by those w’ho have the interest of the working class at heart. May the spirit which has animated members in days gone by continue to exert a powerful influence for the advancement of our organisation in the future. For “united we stand, divided we fall.” Receipts and Expenditure. Receipts—Balance at bank on 22-12-27, £4OO 11/9; current accounts, £217; entrance fees and contributions, 1928, £1177 9/5; interest, £22 19/-; total, £lBlB 0/2. Assets—Cash at bank on fixed deposit, £220 11/9; current account, £392 0/5; motor car, £170; office furniture, £65; shares in Labour Hall Company, £103; loan to Trades and Labour Hall Company at 6 per cent., £300; total, £1250 12/2. Liabilities —Nil. Assets in excess of liabilities, £1252 12/2. Disbursements—Secretary’s salary, £312; part typist’s salary, £77; secretary’s travelling expenses, £79; Maoriland Worker for members, £lB 0/8; printing and advertising, £l9 13/-; insurance arid fire, £lO 9/9; motor car expenses, £6B 5/10; stamps, stationery and telegrams, £3B 11/6; phone 528 and box 248, £l4 13/5; commission to delegates, £2B 18/-; meeting expenses, annual and half-yearly, £3 13/6; delegates’ expenses attending Conciliation Council, £lO 10/-; rent, £39 16/10; Hall-Jones’ expenses collecting arrears, £l7 2/6; cleaning out office, £2 15/-; vote to returning officer for annual election, £2 2/-; vote to late typist (Miss Goad), £l5; vote to Alliance of Labour delegate’s expenses, £10; vote to Labour Party’s Campaign Fund, £25; auditor’s’ fee, C. E. Borne, audit 1927, £2 2/-; N.Z. Timber Federation capitation and levies, £7O; firing, lighting and office requisites, £27 9/-; delegate’s expenses attending Alliance of Labour, £8; loan to Trades and Labour Hall Company, £300; delegate’s expenses attending meetings, £4; bank charges, 15/-; current account, £392 0/5; fixed deposit, £220 11/9; total, £lBlB 0/2. The annual meeting .of the union will be held on Monday at 12.30 in the Labour Hall.