TRADE UNION JUBILEE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18363, 22 April 1925, Page 13

TRADE UNION JUBILEE.

SOCIETY OF CARPENTERS. The golden jubilee of tie formation of the Chrbtchureh branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, Joiners' Machinists and Shipwright*, tstus celebrated by a dinner in the Caledonian Hall last cvenic*. Mr Andrew Mcir, president of the branch, was in the chair, and there was * very large attendance of members and invited guest:. After dinner had been partaken of the chairman proposed the loyal toast. He then read congratulatory messages from the Auckland and Otago branches of tie Society and from the president of tho Canterbury Master Builders' Association, Mr J. \V. Graham. Mr Graham said he deeply resetted that, hij Association was unable to send a representative to the function, owing to its annual meeting being held the same night. "Tho relations between our Association and your Society," said Mr Graham, "have always been most cordial in the past, and we trust that wc may be able to meet you with the same good spirit. Mr G. T. Owen, secretary- of the Chnstcliurch Painters' Union, proposed the toast of the "Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, Christchurch Branch. ' Ho said that in the year 601 B.C. over 30,003 labourers employed by the Chinese Emperor demanded higher wages and ceased work. Seventeen hundred were beheaded and the rest resumed work. Then in the year 64 A.D. the inaßons employed by i\cro to rebuild ftomo struck for higher wages. They were ■ surrounded by soldiers, manv were killed and crucified, and the rest returned to work. He referred to several other early strikes 11 which the workers were vory severely punished, and mentioned that in 1779 Jaws were passed in England prohibiting trades unions. In 1825 those laws wcro repealed, and during that year, before they were repealed, there was a man of independent means, a splendid organiser, who gave his time and ability and courage for the benefit of trade unions, and he started a movement which resulted in tho laws being repealed. When unions wero first allowed it was politios thatbrought them into being. Mr Owen said ho understood that the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners was first instituted in 1860. The societv grew bv leaps and bounds, and in 1871 it luad 212 brandies. On April 20, 1875, the first branch in Australia, or New Zealand was formed in Christchurch with fourteen, members. Ho understood that Auckland, Wellington and ' Dunedin followed suit shortly afterwards. Now tho society had 1142 branches throughout the world and the Christchurch branch had 766 members. Tl(c society had resulted in bringing about considerable benefits to its members. The sjciety was a. splendid one, but in his opinion it had n'A reached the limit as far as organisation was concerned. Jfc would nave to, in Ui2 near future, assist others to assist themselves. He was of opinion that. Iharo should bo one union for the whole of tho building trades. The employers had done this years ago and wero combined throughout tho country. They had shown the workers the way to organise and it was up to the workers themselves to organise along similar lines. Personally ho had not the slightest, doubt that within a few years they would have a building trades organisation in Chrieichurc'n. Mr Owen paid a warm tribute to the secretary, MrE. C. Sutcliffc, whom he described as ono of tho most conscientious trade union secretaries in New Zealand. Mr Sutcliffo had showu himself the possessor of good organising ability, and that bo possessed a considerable amount of common sense. Tho union was for tho common good of all, but they must look to the political side for tho purpose of maintaining and protecting the unions. Mr E. C. Sutcliffe, secretary of the branch, in responding to the toaßt, said ho was extremely gratified to face such a large assomKsige of brother carpenters, and to know that they appreciated the hospitality of their organisation on the occasion of tho Society reaching its fiftieth birthday. Tho branch had started away back in the 'seventies when tho path of trado unionism was, not as pleasant as it was to-day. The movement had gathered strength as the years rolled by, and had becomo a-mighty stream, and ho hoped it would go on growing stronger and stronger. In every English-speaking country there were to bo found branches of their organisation. Tho Christchurch branch had started its career with fourteen members, and at tho present time tho membership was 706. Tho .work that the union had dono in tho organisation of carpenters in Christchurch was such that should command the respect of «H trade unionists, whether in their own industry or not, Mr Sutcliffo then referred to the success of tho Society's echemo for celling tools to its members at reduced charges, and to what had been accomplished in regard to obtaining compensation for injured workers. He felt proud of being secretary of the organisation, and was proud ci its record of achievements. The 'union that night would erect a milestone—a monument of integrity and usefulness—which ho hoped it would long continue to honour. (Applause.) Tho toast of "Old Members" was proposed by Mr A. Jeanes, who expressed rogret that tho two oldest members, aged 82 and 80 years respectively, could nst bo present owing to sickness. At Mr Jeanes's request, those present stood &i a mark of respect t:> tho old members.

Mr Joanes, ■who said ho had been at tho joinery la-ado since 1860, then related some of the early struggles of trades unionists in Glasgow. Mr C. Taylor responded to the toast on behalf of the old rnombcrs. Mr Sutcliffo, in proposing the toast o! tho "National Council of tho A.S.C. and J.,'' referred to the organisation of tho Society, and stated that it was tho first trade union in New Zealand to take, advantage of tho legislation providing for Dominion awards. Ho hoped that it would continue along those lines. Tho national secretary, Mr J. T. C. Smith, in reply, congratulated tho branch on attaining its fiftieth birthday »nd on the excellent celebration it had arranged. Ho p;iid a tribute to tho manner in which the secretarial work was carried out in Christchurch. Tho branch was tho best organised in tho Dominion, and he hoped that tho members would show their appreciation by attending tho branch meetings in larg? numbers. Mr Smith mentioned that the National Council would bf, applying for a new Dominion award shortly, and would bo pleased to recoivo suggestions from the members. Mr G. H. Thompson proposed tho toast of "llelated Trades," which was responded to by Mr C. Ilenn, socrctary of the Plumbers' and Plasterers' Unions. The toast of "Labour Members of Parliament" was proposed by Mr W. Newman, who said that the trades union which persistently refused to take political action was doomed to extinction. Mr E. J. Howard, M.P., responding, said it gave him great pleasure to acknowledge the toast on behalf of the seventeen Labour members in tho New Zealand Parliament. AVhat they required in Parliament was more than seventeen members, and he was confident tho union would reap the benefit of that. (Applause.) A hearty volo of thanks was accorded to Mr Sutcliffo on the motion of Mr J. T. C. Smith, and the proceedings then terminated by the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." During the evening items were contributed bv the AVoolston Band quartette (musical recitals), Messrs F. Dunshea (songs), W. H. Jones (songs), Billy Bell and Doris (songs and dancing), and E. C. Sutcliffo (recitations).

Tho New Zealand Slapping Company ha 3 received cable advico that the steamer Leise Mocrske -irnved at Panama irom St. John, on April stn. Sho is due at Auckland on May 4th.