NEW SECRETARY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 216, 11 September 1940, Page 8

NEW SECRETARY

CARPENTERS MEET. INTEREST IN POLL. CHOICE OF ORGANISER. The keen interest taken in the affairs of the Auckland Carpenters and Joiners' Union in recent months was reflected in an attendance of over 600 at the annual meeting last evening. Held in the Trades Hall, where there was standing room only for many of the members, the meeting was presided over by the president, Mr. J. McCormack. The proceedings were orderly throughout, but there were keen discussions on some of the more contentious matters. Principal interest centred on the election of officers to the key positions in the union, and in several instances changes were made. For these seats the oting was by postal ballot, and it was not until 6 a.m. to-day, when checking was finished after a continuous session, that the results were made known. The vote for president was taken in the room, and this resulted in the return of the retiring'president, Mr. McCormack, who defeated Mr. T. Kelly, who held the position several years ago, by 243 votes to 22-5, a majority of 18. Voting for Secretary. A change was made in the secretary, ! Mr. C. Moor being elected by ballot. His opponent was Mr. J. G. Kennerley, and the voting was 330 to 279, a majority for Mr. Moor of 57. Mr. Kennerley had held the position for some years. There were two vacancies on the executive, and there were seven nominations. One of the retiring members. Mr. A. Greig, was re-elected, but the other, Mf- W. H. Trembath, did not stand. His position was filled by the election of Mr. T. P. O'Connor. The voting for Messrs. Greig and O'Connor was 230 and 220 respectively. The five unsuccessful candidates were Messrs. W. Ross. J. H. VVhyte, J. Moorhouse, L. Brown and F. H. Fowler. For the position of town organiser Mr. R. Stanley was elected, defeating the temporary organiser, Mr. R Giles by 427 votes to 201. The election of Mr. E. A. Waters as country organiser by 570 votes was almost unanimous. The following delegates to the Labour Representation Committee were electedMessrs. R. J. Peter, C. L. Moor, J. McCormack, V. Midgley, J. Lindergreen and J. G. Kennerley. Delegates who did not seek re-election were Messrs. W. H. Trembath and J. Cameron, and the unsuccessful nominees were Messrs. J. R. French, M. McXamara and R. Giles New delegates are Messrs. Moor and Li maeroreen. j Mr. Moor's Statement. | In a statement to-day Mr. Moor said: As the newly elected secretary I wish to state the position as it appears to me at present. As the chairman of the meeting stated, there has been a good deal of publicity, both favourable and unfavourable, given to this annual meeting.

The emphasis should be made on the 1111 favourable,' as far as concerns one action of the Pres.;, which attempted , to brand the election of officer® as a j campaign for Communist control of the | union The members at one of the l largest and most representative meet- , "igs m recent years can be said to have answered that charge very effectively. ■ "The president elected ia not a Communist nor is Bro. Waters, who topped the poll for organisers. As for myself, 1 have made the position quite clear and intend to make it far more clear in certain quarters—that I am a member of the Labour party and in no sense ", , e „ V ? r , VO been or "'tend at the beck and call of any political partv. assume office on one condition onlv namely that the welfare of this union' comes first and foremost. t *V r " ~I !; Stanlev ' -l'e only Communist' to stand for an official paid position, was ie urned with quite a large majoritv cner the other nominee. This I mu*t accept as a vote of confidence in his ability and an endorsement of the work that he lias done for this organisation in the past years. of L S] T U h n e A° take this °PPortunitv of thanking all those members who "av'e me their support in this election "and would remind them that their continued 18 eS^" tia ! for P ro S™« and the smooth running of our organisation."