Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11635, 16 March 1901, Page 2

Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners.

« NEW PLYMOUTH BRANCH. A meeting of carpenters and joiners interested in the formation of a branch ! of the above Society was held in the ; Council Chambers on Friday evening. The Hon. W. T. Jennings, M.L.C., cccvi pied the chair, and in opening spoke oE ■ the advantages of Unionism to the workers generally. He pointed out that > the Amalgamated Society was instituted . in 1860. Since the formation over £1,500,000 sterling had been expended in sick, unemployed, and trade benefits. Branches exist all over the world, and the membership is over 58,000. The , annual income is upwards of £160,000. Dm ing the past year the Society had paid in accident benefit £1250 and benevolent fund £2591. The Chairman concluded by commending the intention of the New Plymouth carpenters to establish a branch of such an extensive Sooiety in their midst, and introduced to the meeting Mr \ A. Rosser (President) and Mr S. Tyson ' (Secretary), of the Auckland bnmob, who had been invited to be present to ' explain the working <rf the Sesiety to the ' meeting. Mr Roaser oomplimentcid thermenbeK 1 of the local Union in their recent efforts ' to improve the status of the trade, bat 1 pointed out the increased henefita and ! wider scope of the Amalgamated Society. 1 Mr Tyson pointed ont at length the ' mode of procedure and manner of the , inner working of the Society, and that 1 although affiliated to the parent Society, ' yet each branch had the privilege of 1 managing its own affairs and was in pos- > session of local self-government. Many present then handed in their names, and the branch wasformally instituted, but owing to the lateness of the ' hour it was decided to adjourn the meet1 ing till Monday evening next, when the branch officers will be elected. A hearty ; vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Jenings for presiding over the meeting.