TRADES UNION.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19758, 13 December 1935, Page 6

TRADES UNION.

CARPENTERS AND JOINERS. LOCAL BRANCH ESTABLISHED. A decision to re-establish a branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners’ Union in naifillton was reached at a well-attended meeting of carpenters and joiners in Toorak Hall last evening. Mr J. Adamson presided, other speakers including the Hon. T. Bloodworth, M.L.G., Auckland district secretary of the union, and Mr M. Ford, South Auckland district organiser. In opening the meeting the convenor, Mr Ford, said It had been called to consider the wisdom of re-estab-lishing a local branch of the union. During the past few weeks the speaker had visited most parts of the Waikato, and the enthusiasm displayed, not only by employees, but by employers, was an Indication that it was the wish of the majority to see the union functioning again in their respective districts. In welcoming Mr Bloodworth, the speaker paid a warm tribute to him for his efforts to assist the employees over a very long period. The chairman said lie felt it was Hie opinion of all present that the union should he re-established in Hamilton, and he -thought it was up to them to rally round and assist the organiser to enrol all tradesmen in Hamilton and so get the branch started again.

Mr Bloodworth, who was greeted with applause, expressed the view that the time was opportune to re-estab-lish a Hamilton 'branch, and branches In the surrounding districts. He was pleased to say that the organiser, Mr Ford, had iiiade splendid progress in tiie Waikato, but a lot remained to be done, and lie appealed to members to assist him in every way. Ho was confident that they would be able to form branches throughout Hie Waikato, with Hamilton as the centre. Review of Past Activities. The speaker reviewed the aclivities of Hie union over the past few years, and pointed out the advantages of membership, lie added that since Mr Ford had taken over the Waikato district, with the co-operation of the Labour Department they had already gone a long way to stamp out underrate pay, of which there had been a number of instances. He deprecated under-rate pay ns being against the interests of employers and employees and said lie was pleased to learn “that most of the employers were keen to see this unfair competition stamped out. No better medium for achieving Ibis atm could he found than a strong branch of Hie union. Mr Bloodworth went, on to address the meeting on award matters. Following a unanimous decision to re-establish a local branch, it was decided to defer the election of officers until the next meeting, when it was hoped that the organiser would have enrolled all tradesmen in the town and district.