LAB9URHR.S' PLEDGE. CEMENT AND TROUBLE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1373, 26 February 1912, Page 4

LAB9URHR.S' PLEDGE.

CEMENT AND TROUBLE.

AND A WIDER FEDERATION. ißy Tclotrraph—Press Association.) Dunedin, February 24. An outcome of n conference of delegates from unions of labourers in the South Island sitting here is the formation of a basis and constitution of a federation of labourers' unions of New Zealand. Constituent unions are set out as follow:—General labourers (including ouilding labourers, quarry workers, and wool and grain store workers), gas workers' unions, and such other properly constituted industrial unions as may apply for admission and be received by resolution of the council. The objects of the association are to confine in one body all kindred unions, in order that their interests may be protected, their status raised, and their conditions improved, and to overcome the evils arising from separate action. The association is to be governed by a council composed of the president, secretary, and treasurer, elected by ballot of-the whole of the members of the association, and one delegate from each federated union. The following pledge is to bo exacted from each member of the association: "I hereby pledge myself to accept nnd loyally adhere to the rule, and constitution of the Federation of Labour Association, to conform to all its decisions, and not to work for less than the rate of wages fixed by the association, nor lake the place of any person out on strike."Delegates at the conference are to act as a provincial council to bring about federation.

Tip: USE OF HOOKS DEMANDED. Some 700 bags of cement, consigned to Messrs. P. Hutson and Co., which were to be landed at "Wellington, had to bo carried on to southern ports by the Tlud-dart-i'arlcer steamer Victoria 011 Friday evening. This part of tho cargo was stowed in XV>. 1 hold, and tile bays were paper-lined, as m-r agreement with the Waterside Worliers' Union. Xotwithstanding this, the wharf labourers refused to handle the cement unless Ihev were allowed the iijo of hooks. A small quantity of cement was down in X'o. 2 hold, anil no trouble was experienced with the men. It is claimed by tho shipping company that the bags of' cement were not heavy, thove being only 18 to the ton. In eonscqucnce 4 of this trouble, the cetnent cargo in Xo. 1 hold, which Vras destiii'Ml lfi- Wellington, will have to remain in the Victoria until she calls hero on Thursday next. The Union Company's 1 steamer Uaujiiri also has a qnantitv ol'i cement to put nnt at Wellington to-day.