WATERSIDE WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 902, 23 August 1910, Page 8

WATERSIDE WORKERS

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (By Telegraph— Press Association.i Ohristchurch, August 22. The annual conference of N delegates of the New Zealand "Waterside Workers' federation was resumed at the Lyttelton Borough Council Chambers this morning, when there was a full attendance. A discussion took place on the sixth remit of tho Wanganui Union: "That the unions represented at-this conference bo urged not, to -allow their members to work in roadsteads, or ports outside of their own port, where there is a federated waterside workers' union in existence." Discussion took placo in committee, and the remit was adopted, two delegates from: Napier dissenting. The remit was No. 9 from Wanganui: "That a system be arrived at, whereby any member ■ of any waterside workers' union leaving iiis union and not being clear on tho books, shall bo reported to all other waterside workers' unions in tho federation, so that it will lie impossible for him to go into any other waterside workers' union until he clears himself on bis own union's books." This was discussed in committee, and was adopted with the addition of the words, not being of good character" (after ' not being clear on the books"), and "or retrieves his character" at tho end of the remit. -

Tho tenth remit was:'"That no shin shall employ less than four men to .work in any gang, and not less than two men in any bunker." T.liis .was also taken' in committee, and was adopted.

United Political Action. The Greyinouth remits were' then proceeded with. Remits-1 and\2. which had previously dealt with, were cut out. 'Remit No. 8 bearing reference to the political organisation of all . organised labour in the Dominion, was passed over in favour of a remit that the conference should adopt the platform -of tho New Zealand Labour Party.as 'formulated by.tho Sow Zealand Trades and Labour Conference'at Auckland. On being put to the conference the remit was' adopted by seventeen votes to four, two Napier delegate! abstaining from voting. Remit No. 4 was as follows: "That the Arbitration Act be amended to allow the Conciliation Cornmusioners to make an award for .not less than three months." After a brief discussion this remit was unanimously adopted. Remit No. 5: "That the-Factories Act be amended to read: "That owners of shops or., factories shall obsefvo a weekly half-holiday,' male and female workers alike," was unanimously adopted, as was also the next, remit (No. 6)1 which read: "That tho Factories Act make it imperative that owners of shops and factories ,shall not carry on. business after their employees havo been discharged at 5 or G o'clock,or such time as is agreed'upon as the permanent closing timK" Considerable discussion took place on remit No 7 which read: "That tho Conciliation and Arbitration Act-be amended in order to allow trades unionists bound by tho Act, to take political action." . , , »

' An amendment was moved by Mr. Terry (Wellington) and seconded oy Mr. Dowtlall (Wellington) "that no action be taken until a referendum be taken on the question" was lost by 19 votes to' 4. The remit was then j>ut • and adopted on the motion of Mr. Cunham, seconded by Mr. Webb.

Selection of Candidates. Remit No. 20 from the Auckland Union was then put and carried unanimously.. The remit read as follows: "That, to ensure a reasonable prospect of success at Parliamentary and other elections. for the various 'labour .candidates, this conference holds that all such candidates should, and must be, selected in tho moßt democratic manner, and their political soundness 1 ascertained before their candidature is announced to: the public, whether through tho press or ■ otherwise." ' -The eighth and final remit., from the Greymouth Union was as'follows: "Compensation Act (a) that the Act be amended so that medical expenses incurred ba mado a charge on the employer, and that full. compensation begin from the, date of accident; (b) that a man who is incapacitated by partial disablement, ■ through ; meeting with accident, be paid compensation until such , time, as' ho is able to follow his usual occupation; (c) that the Act be amended by altering the interpretation of '\vorker' so as.to include any person whose earnings prior to meeting with accident, exceeded an average of £6 per week; (a), that the restrictions at''- present embodied in ' the interpretation clauses of the Workers' Compensation Act, 1909, in respect to domicile or residence be abolished." The remit was taken clause .by clause, and was adopted. Three remits from the Westport Union were thon'. dealt ;with. , Tho first was,: "That , the Government'to urged to place its casual waterside employee's on tho same footing as. the employees of private companies, and that, in ports: where-air arbitration award is in force, the casual waterside workers employed by the Gov-' ernment', and belonging to the Waterside Workers' Union, be subject to such award or agreement." The remit was unanimously adopted.

Telegram From Mr. D. M'Laren.' The following telegram was read from Mr. D. M'Lareu, JI.P.: "Hearty congratulations on the work of,.the conference; respectfully suggest that tho political platform be recommended. to fcKo trades and Labour Council's" executive so as to preserve united action throughout. (Signed) D, M'Xaren.; The conference then adjourned until to-morrow. ,