WATERSIDERS' FEDERATION.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19160, 17 November 1927, Page 13

WATERSIDERS' FEDERATION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (SPIMAL TO THE PBBBS.) TIMARU, November 1«. The annual conference of the New Zealand Waterside "Workers' Federation commenced to-day in the Council Chambers, Mr L. Glover (president) presiding over a large attendance. Mr Glover formally declared' the conference open. The Mayor (Mr G. J. Wallace) extended a welcome to the visiting delegates. Ho hoped that the conference would reach satisfactory decisions. If unions organised in the right way and carried out their business in the right manner, it would no doubt mean that they would be able to obtain an increase in wages. Ho said in return for the increase, however, efficient service should be given by the workers. Efficient service should be well paid for, and if it were given it would bo in the interests of the workers and the community generally. It was only by efficient service in all industrial occupations, and, indeed, in every walk of life, that progress would be made. He was interested in Harbour Board matters, and the idea of the Timaxu Harbour Board was to britig that port up to a very high point of efficiency. Harbour and wharf equipment, he said, was more advanced in the North Island than it was in the South Island, but he hoped that in the very near future similar equipment would bo established in South Island ports. He concluded by hoping that the delegates would make themselves acquainted with Timsru and its people. Mr W. Craig, on behalf of the local union, also extended a welcome to the visiting delegates. It was apparent, he said, that the places of many of the older delegates had been filled by younger men. He spoke on the servicts of the men who had blazed the trail of unionism, stating that the younger men had a duty to those who had made unionism known on the waterfront. He hoped that at the conclusion of the conference the unions would be strengthened, and that the delegates would feel confident that they had done good work for the national organisation. Mr Glover returned thanks for the welcome extended. The conference of the Federation, he said, was in reality the annual parliament of the waterside workers of the country. It dealt with wages and industrial conditions, and it must have organisation to make it a success. Timaru was looked upon as an important port, as there were few ports in the world where an artificial harbour had been successful. Considering the nmount of money expended en harbour construction and the success made i l^ e Z? nturo i" Timaru, it was a credit to the Harbour Board and the people generally The Timaru Union was considered nne of the most loyal organisations in the federation; it gave a definite decision on any question, and when that decision was arrived at the numbers lorallv adhered to it. -Lner adopted a demnerifio.ro I .*, and helped s " ~ rel 7 a ? '» strengthen the organisation, the business of the conference was m committee.