THE UNITY CONGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1797, 9 July 1913, Page 5

THE UNITY CONGRESS.

SEVENTH DAY'S WORK. NOMINATION OF OFFICERS. Tiro seventh day's sittings of the Unity Cougress commenced at St. Peter's Schoolroom yesterday morning, tho Hon. J. Rigg in the chair. On the motion of Mr. Simpson, seconded by Mr. Wills, it vras unanimously resolved: "That this conference urges all electors to render their support so as to make the victory of the Sooial Democratic candidate for Grey, Mr. P. C. Webb, well assured." On Clause 9, relating to finance (published yesterday), 31r. Silverstone (Dunediin) moved an amendment, as an addition to the first paragraph (capitation): "That all unions whose weekly membership contributions are less than sixpence, and which decide to raise their contributions to sixpence, should b? charged halfrate capitation till December 31, 1913, and full rate after that date." The motion was lost on the voices. . Mr. T. Eagle (Wellington) moved as an amendment tho addition of the words: "Provided that at its discretion in cases of hardship the executive have power for a period of twelve months to reduce tho full membership fee." Tho amendment was lost on the- voices. Mr. M'Lennan (Wa.ihi) moved insertion of the words: "United Federation of Labour, and" before the term "educational ' on first line of paragraph 8. The amendment was lost on the voices. Mr. N. Shorter (Auckland) moved a 9 an amendment to Paragraph 4 that the words "same rate" at the end of the second line be deleted, and tho words "Uate of 80 per cent, of the amount scheduled above.".. The amendment was lost, and the debate on the finance clauso terminated. The Annual Congress. The question of annual conference was considered as follows:— 1 Tho supreme authority of tli6 United of Labour shall bo vested in the annual congress, and in its membership under referenda as is provided. 2. Tho annual' congress shall meet in Wellington each year, beginning on tho first Tuesday in July. 3. Eepresentation and voting in the annual congress shall be as follows:— For— 250 members or less One delegate 250 to 750 members Two delegates 750 to 1500 members Three delegates Ova - 1500 and upwards ... Four delegates and under no circumstances will an organisation be entitled to more than four delegates. The voting shall be upon the basis of one delegate one vote. 1. Immediately after tho presentation of reports and balance-sheets, tho congress shall go into recess from day to day l'or working of departmental conferences. 5. The unions of any one trade in any department may specially confer concerning wages, hours, and ■ conditions of employment within the trade, but shall not delay conference proceedings by the consideration of other, matters • which shall bo discussed and determined by National ■Congress.-, 6; Any, matter, in order .to be presented in the regular order of- the business before the annual congress, involving this constitution, programmes, policies, or tho forms of national activity, must_ bp included in remits furnished to the National Executive on or before May HI of cach year, and notice of the same shall be included in tho annual call of the said executive for the annual congress. i 7. No vote shall be allowed unless the ! member ,or delegato be present when the .vote is taken, and all members or delegates,. present when a show of hands is taken shall record their votes. Where 'delegates representing any one body arcdivided cn any question,, the voting powers shall bo equally distributed between such delegates. . • , . , ; . Mr. young .nioved, and t Mr. ~Huntet\ seconded, the addition of the words after "delegates," c'n ninth line of clause 3: "Each delegate shall be a bona-iide member." Considerable discussion took place on the question whether the words "or official" should not be added after "bonafide member.". It was argued that the secretary or president shouid.be vutitku to represent the union, but in opposition to this delegates said they were out to kill professional representation. On the voices it was decided to add the words. The question of adding the words "or official was then considered. , Eventually the clause" was amended to read with rcspcct to representation : - "Each'delegate shall be a .bona-iide member of the United Federation of Labour .aiid n'.member of the industry lie repreW; T.'Mills moved that the capli. tation fee be Is. per quarter, per member, for all organisations. The motion was carried, and the amended paragraph in clause 9 whs agreed to. Several other motions for rsconimutal were lost. The constitution as amended was declared earrhd, amidst cheers.

Election of Officers. Tko congress then proceeded to elect its officers for the ensuing year. On the motion of Mr. W. Parry it was decided that no official of the "United Iteration ol Labour should receive more than ia per week, and travelling expenses at the rate of lOs.' p.sr day for hotel expenses, together with train and boat fare. The salaries for thp secretary-treasurer and the organiser wcro fixed at this rate. The president's remuneration was leit to the executive to fix. The following nominations were received—President, Messrs. W. T. \oung and 13. J. Howard; vke-presj-dent, Messrs. W. Parry, 1. worth, M. J. Egan, J. Dowgray, S. Boreham, and M. Hanton; organiser, Mr. xi. Semple. As there was only one nomination for the position, tho chairman declared Mr. R. Semple elected. (Cheers.) Mr. i. H. Hiclcey was the only nomination received for secretary and treasurer, ana ho was elected, , ~ The conference then adjourned, and tue other officers will be elected this morning. In the official report on finance proposals yesterday, Mr. H. J. Campbell was reported as seconding the clause. Mr. Campbell moved an amendment and did not second the proposal.