SAWMILL WORKERS

Southland Times, Issue 20786, 29 May 1929, Page 3

SAWMILL WORKERS

MEETING OF UNION. The half-yearly meeting of the Southland Sawmill Workers’ Union was held in the Trades Hall on Saturday, May 25, 1929, when Mr A. Chisholm presided over a large attendance of members. Before commencing business, Mr Chisholm made feeling references to the death of the wife of Mr James Nicholson, of Bluff, whom he stated was a respected member of the union for over twenty years. On the motion of Messrs Alex. Brown, and R. P. Simpson, a motion of sympathy was placed on record to Mr Nicholson and family for the irretrievable loss which they had sustained. The motion was carried by the members standing in silence. The secretary reported that in connection with the case of Colin McEwan, of Tokanui, who was suffering from heart strain caused while employed in the bush for the Waipohatu Sawmilling Company, Tokanui. The Commercial Union Insurance Company, who had taken the insurance risks on behalf of the sawmilling company, had denied liabilities, therefore, the union had placed the case in the hands of Stout and Lillicrap, solicitors, for legal action. The case was heard before the Court of Arbitration at the last sitting in Invercargill, with the result that compensation was awarded to Mr McEwan amounting to £206 8/7, phis £22 expenses.—Received, and the secretary was thanked for his efforts on behalf of Mr McEwan. Mr James Roberts, secretary, Alliance of Labour, wrote pleading for further financial assistance on behalf of the wives and children of the timber workers and coal miners’ lockout of Australia. He also stated that Messrs J. M. Baddeley and H. Knight would visit Invercargill and would place the case before the workers of Southland. The secretary, Mr O’Byrne, stated that this had been done. On the motion of Messrs Simpson and Brown, it was de-

cided to issue a list amongst members for the purpose of raising funds for the Australian workers. The Inspector of Factories, Mr Weenick, wrote stating that he was making full investigations into the payment of “waiting time” for members in the Western District for the undue delay in connection with the payment of wages. The inspector also stated that he had instructed a sawmilling firm in the Western District that in accordance with the award they were compelled to erect a bath, food safes in connection with the huts for the men, also a grinding stone for the bushmen.—Received, and the secretary was instructed to see that the provisions of the award were carried out.

On the motion of Messrs T. Halpin and 0. Fagrell, the secretary was instructed to take immediate legal action against Tyson and Co., sawmillers, Tawanui, on account of them refusing to pay compensation to Mr E. Pay, who had met with an accident to his leg during his employment with the above company.

Ten members wrote for clearance from the union, as they had left the industry.— Granted.

At the instigation of the president, a motion was placed on record congratulating the secretary on again being returned as city councillor for Invercargill. The secretary reported that during the month he had satisfactorily settled compensation cases for members amounting to £B5. The secretary reported that the income for the half-year amounted to £313, which was £63 in excess of the corresponding period of last year. Arrears of wages had been collected amounting to £450, and compensation cases had been successfully settled amounting to £2350 for members on account of accidents, without any legal costs to the members interested. The secretary also stated that the union had now been in existence for over 28 years, and he had acted as secretary for 23 years, previous to that he had been president for three years. The assets to-day were in excess of liabilities by £lBOO, notwithstanding that the union was considerably in debt when he took over the reins of office.

On the motion of the president, the report was received, and he congratulated the members on the sound financial position of the organization, which, he stated, was principally due to the energies of the secretary, Mr O’Byrne. He added that the old “union ship,” had been steered clear of all barriers for the past quarter of a century. Mr Chisholm congratulated the secretary on his long and successful career in connection with the organization, and he hoped that he would enjoy his well-earned holiday which had been given him by the members, and in his absence the business of the union would be carried on by the executive officers.

All accounts were passed for payment and the meeting adjourned.