WATERSIDE WORKERS' CONFERENCE..

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1219, 30 August 1911, Page 5

WATERSIDE WORKERS' CONFERENCE..

. QUESTION OF ORGANISATION. (By Teleeraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, August 29. One of the most important'questions facing the conference of representatives of the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Union now sitting in Auckland is as to what course they shall take regarding the proposed unification of all industrial unions in New Zealand into one great fighting organisation. The conference devoted prctically the whole of to-day to this question. Professor Mills outlined his proposal for organising Labour as ono solid body absorbing all existing Federations, and while grouping various associated crafts at the same time bringing together as ono compact organisation at least 170,000 workers in New Zealand.

Mr. Scott Bennett advocated a unity scheme but urged that instead of creating another body, as he said Professor Mills proposed, opportunity should instead be taken of utilising existing machinery by joining tho existing Federation of. Labour.

Mr. P. C. Webb (president of tho New Zealand Federation of Labour and nlro of tho New Zealand Miners' Federation) outlined the aims and object? of the Federation and advanced reasons why the watersido workers of tho Doaiinion should throw in their lot with the body. He instanced the caso of tho Miners' Federation and declared that after !5 years' experience of the Arbitration Act the miners found that they were really worse off than before tho Act camo into force, i'ho Miners' Federation had given birth to tho .Now Zealand Federation of Labour which first and foremost demanded the right to strike. The result was that sinco cancelling their registration under the Arbitration Act they had wrung more concessions out of the employers than they ever got out of tho Court. Now the timo had arrived for the workera as a whole to show, that they wcro the "top dogs." Mr. Collett asked would it mean that tho Watersido AVorkers' Union would have to sever its connection with tho Arbitration Act if it joined tho federation. . Mr. Webb replied that ho did not think arbitration and industrial unionism could go hand in bawl. Tho conference has yet to discuss what action it will take in tire matter. From the executive body in Wellington has come the remit: "That tho proposed federation of unions,- as propounded by Prof. Mills, be accepted as the host constructive and practical proposal yet submitted in New Zcalancf for industrial unity." "Ihe Auckland branch of the union had a counter-proposal on tho orderpaper: "That this conference, believing that tho federation of all unions engaged in any particular industry having proved a move in tho right direction, is of opinion that the principlo should be oxfendrd to its utmost limit with a view of drawing caoh and every worker in New Zealand into closer touch with his fellows, and for mutual protection. Further, this conference invites in n fraternal spirit the Federated Seamen and Carters to move with us into affiliation with our brothers, the miners, shearers, labourers and others."