UNITY OF LABOUR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1222, 2 September 1911, Page 10

UNITY OF LABOUR.

{, DISCUSSED BY WATERSIDE WORKERS. (By Tolcgraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, August 31. The discussion on the question of the unity of labour, was discussed at.the conference of tho N.Z. Federation of Waterside AVorkers on Wednesday on a motion moved by tho Greymouth delegates affirming tho desirableness of endorsing Mr. W. T. Mills's schenio for a union of labour. Mr. Perry (AVellington) moved as an amendment that tho question of adopting Mr. Mills's proposal stand over for twelve month. The amendment was carried on a division according to numerical strength, the voting being 1723 for and 1598 against. The amendment was then declared to bo the substantive motion. Mr. H. A r oyce (Lyttelton) moved as an amendment: "That, owing to the existence of tho two present federations, thi3 conference cannot see its way to advise tho units of the federation to affiliate with the N.Z. Federation of Labour as registered, and further, wo are of opinion that the - only solution to the labour troubles of Ivew Zealand is an amalgamation of the two federations now in existence." This amendment ,was carried without discussion. AVhen tho conference Tcsumed next day, Mr. G. Smith (I'atea) then gave notice to move as follows:—"That in tho opinion of the confcrenoo tho timo the opinion of the conference the timo has arrived when the' exccutivo should tako a referendum as to whether this federation will sever its connection from tho Trades and Labour Council Federation and join the New Zealand Federation of Labour, the referendum to be returnable in four months. In tho event of the same being carricd the executivo to take immediate steps to givo effect io the same." Messrs. T. Smith (North Island) and AV. Morris (South Island) woro appointed delegates to t.lio annual meeting of the Trades and Labour Councils.