NEW UNIONISTS SATISFIED.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1922, 3 December 1913, Page 8

NEW UNIONISTS SATISFIED.

THE BED AND BOARD CHARGES. MEETING LAST NIGHT. • ?""°!'? lla ,V c b(, o» reports that considerable dissatisfaction exists in the rancs ot the. "Waterside Workers' Union with regard to the charge that was made irom Monday morning of Cd. per bed and Gd. per meal when taken on the wharves. En 01 -dor thoroughly to thrash out tho matter, a meeting of tho union was held in J Shed at 7 o'clock last evening, and the Labour Committee ot tho local Employers', Farmers', rind Citizens' Defence Committee- were m attendance to bear complaints. Mr. W. J. Stanley, the president of the union, presided, and it is estimated that somewhere in tho neighbourhood ot uOO of flie 1700 members of tho union were, present. _ At the outset of the meeting a. section of members expressed the opinion that free meals and beds should be continued until the conditions at the watertide were quite normal. The representatives of tho Citizens' Labour, Committee explained' that the meals were costing the Defence Committee between £700 and £SOO per nek, which expense it .was felt should not bo maintained any longer than was absolutely necessary. The town was now quite tranquil, and no trouble would bo experienced by unionists in getting on nntl off the wharves. Consequently it was considered that those who could do so should get their menls and accommodation in flie city. It was recognised, however, that many members from tho country would find a difficulty in getting fixed up in the city, and for'this'reason it was decided to mako a charge, for meals. This explanation was very favourably received by tho meeting, and after it had been discussed at length it was resolved that:

"We, the members of tho new union, arc thoroughly well satisfied with the conditions that at present prevail on the wharves, and aro perfectly willing to pay for our beds and meals. Wo consider the charges fair and reasonable ones." This was carried practically without dissent. A suggestion was afterwards made to the Labour C'ommittco4hat there, should he no chargo for the beds. This was at once agreed to on the understanding that the union should sot up a- commit" tee for tho purpose of ensuring that tho beds- wero equitably allotted to tlioso members who could not get accommodation in/ their houses or elsewhere. Tho. meeting closed with hearty cheers for the Defence Committee, for its efforts on behalf of members of tho union. In connection with the foregoing it is interesting to know that even now, since tho small charge has linen imposed,"it is costing the Defence Committee about £200 per week for hoard and accommodation. Upwards of 370 beds aro boing occupied on the Mararoa, and counting those who are bedded in tho wharf sheds there are closo on 800 boing accommodated nightly.