RELIEF WORKERS

Southland Times, Issue 21851, 31 October 1932, Page 8

RELIEF WORKERS

MERGER SOUGHT ASSOCIATION AND UNION REQUEST DECLINED A request made by a deputation representing the recently-formed Invercargill Relief Workers’ Union of the Industrial Labour movement which waited upon the executive of' the Invercargill Relief Workers’ Association oi. Saturday night seeking that, in the interests of the men as a whole, a merger between the two bodies should be effected, was, after the deputation had withdrawn and the matter had then been discussed, unanimously declined and it was resolved that the association should continue to carry on its activities as in the past and that the union should be advised accordingly. Mr T. Bailey (president of the association) having introduced the deputation, Mr T. R. Findlay (president of the union), who was th.e first speaker, said it was useless having a rift in the lute and two factions among the men. He contended that unity would be best attained by a merger of the two bodies so that all could work hand in hand. “Nothing is to be gained by the union and the association fighting against each other,” emphasized Mr D. Strathern. “What the union suggests is that its executive should resign on condition that the association’s officials do the same. Then you can call a representative meeting and let the men re-elect those they really desire. If you are the men they want, then you’ll be returned to office. Surely that is a fair enough proposition,” he declared. “But whatever the decision—even if only 50 men attend—we must all accept it as final. If the workers want a political or a non-political body will be seen at the meeting.” Mr G. Edwards, the next speaker, said that the union was under the wing of the Labour Party, which, he emphasized, always endeavoured to do all in its power for the betterment of the workers. He thought it would be unwise if the association did not agree to the request to join the union for the sake of the whole body of relief workers. Mr Edwards’s remarks were endorsed by Mr G. Burrows, who said that by having two distinct bodies the interests of the men must be thereby prejudiced. “The general opinion held among the workers is that the association is pulling against the Labour Party. If the majority of the workers show that they are in favour of the association, well then I, for one, shall stand by the decision, but the meeting must be publicly called.” Mr W. Sharp reiterated that it was useless the men being at loggerheads. “We must cast aside all apathy and act as brothers” he counselled.

Discussion by Executive. When the deputation had withdrawn, a general discussion on the matter took place among the executive members of the association. Mr R. Henderson: I represent 30 men in a gang and they are all strong for the association and will not have the union. Mr P. Marchant said that even if a general meeting should be called by the association, it would not be truly representative. “We had 100 or more at one of our meetings and they had a like number at one of theirs—so where are we?” He suggested that perhaps a secret' ballot could be arranged by the men on their jobs and they could show in black • and white whom they favoured. Another speaker said that: the union preached unity yet its members had broken away. “We were here first so why shouldn’t they retire?” he asked. “I don’t see what is to be gained by merging,” added a gang delegate. “They started on the wrong foot and realize they are powerless unless we disband.” Mr Marchant: It’s a great pity this deputation did not approach the association first before the union was formed. Then, if there was a genuine complaint, we could have investigated it. Another delegate said he favoured Mr Marchant’s suggestion regarding a ballot. “If we then see we have not the support of the general body of the men it is only right we should retire,” he declared. “We have the confidence of the public who have helped us all most generously and the majority of the men are behind us, too,” said the chairman. “I think we should hold fast. One of our main planks is that the association is non-political and that is our chief mainstay. We are here solely for the interests of the relief workers.” After further discussion in which several delegates declared that the deputation had not convinced them that the union could do more for the men than the association and that, the workers, in the main, were satisfied with the association and would uphold it until such time (if any) as faults were apparent, it was ultimately agreed, on the motion of Mr E. D. Dyer, that the association should carry on as in the past and that the union should be advised accordingly.