WATERSIDERS MEET.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1985, 16 February 1914, Page 6

WATERSIDERS MEET.

EX-STRIKERS AIR THEIR VIEWS AN ORDERLY GATHERING. Between 50 and 60 wharf labourers attended a convened meeting of waterside' workers which was held in tho Skating llink on Saturday afternoon. Proceedings were advertised to commence at 2 p.m.j but it was fully half an hour later, before the meeting opened. With the exception of a very few inter-i ruptions by. one or two men, the whole of the proceedings were carried out in an orderly manner. The chairman had to call two speakers at least to order, but this was done on account of .points of order raised. As far as the.business part of the meeting was concerned it was conducted strictly on constitulines. At the previous Saturday's meeting in the Skating Rink, when tho executive of the- union had called the meeting, the Press were, excluded by a majority of ex-strikers' votes. On Saturday, however, a motion was carried by about 15 to 1 that the reporters be allowed to remain. Only members of tho .union were admitted, and entrance was gained by production, of union books. Those who were in attendance consisted of ex-strikers. Mr. , , G. I'arland, secretary of the old Waterside Workers' Union, explained the reasons for which the meeting had been called. In doing so he stated that the members of the new union, who had been appointed at the . previous meeting to examine the books, had been informed that the executive, had no intention of carrying out the resolutions passed at that meeting. The executive of the union had, the speaker alleged, been given certain instructions, but had failed to carry them out. The speaker continued that if the arrangements for the picnic were not carried out at once the union would be unable to hold it in March, as the employers %ould refuse to grant them a holiday. Mr. Farland went on to say that the executive-had been invited to attend, tho meeting, but they- had neglected to do bo. "< ■ In the.absence of the'president, Mr. L. Glover was appointed chairman. Committee Reports. The reports of the committees appointed to examine the books, inquire about tho holding of the picnic, and report on.the present agreement were then considered. . . Mr. G. Bruce, assistant secretary of the-late union, said that ho had made application to the executive to examine the books,.but had be£n unable to obtain tho necessary information; 'Mr. Farland, who was appointed- to act in conjunction with Mr. Bruce in this matter, said that ho nad endeavoured., several times to have a look at the books, but that,he" had-not'met with any success. .Tho speaker also made an allegition to the effect that the members of the executive.were drawing 255. a day as'payment'for their services. They have nothing l ro gain by these secretive methods," the speaker continued. "In the bid union' the books were always open for inspection at all times.". ■■■■•'■ Point of Order Raised. . At this, stage of the proceedings Mr. A: L. Jones raised a point of order.'He contended that the meeting held on the previous Saturday was null and void. Ho explained his views by saying that the previous Saturday's meeting was held under the aiißpices of the executive. The speaker contended that the resolutions passed at that meeting could not bo given effect, , to because therewas not a substantive motion passed at 'the meeting. Mr./ Jones wentbn to say that before any amendment was put and carried a motion must ftist be proposed and seconded. This was not dono-at the proyioTis Saturday's meeting. The spfaker contended that because it suited the majority of thoso ,'present the amendments were carried before the pro-' Bident had a chance to put a motion. The chairman told Mr. Jones to resume his seat and that he was out or order. Mr. Glover told the meeting that Mr. Jones was wrong in his contentions, and that he was only trying to upset the meeting. ■ •, On the motion of Mr. DowdalJ, a resolution was passed to the effect that tho report be held over till next week, , and that the same committee be instructed to wait on the executive with the same request this morning. Old and New Agreements Compared. Tho next report was that of the Agreements Committee, consisting of tho samo two members, ;Messrs. Farland and Bruce. The former stated that he had made a lengthy survey of the present agreement, as compared with tho old one, and he had found that the present agreement, had been altered to tho detriment of the workers. Inter alia the speaker stated that, travelling time to Miramar liad been-'reduced and that the : agreement had 1 been'alterod in respect to' the engagement of labour on the wharves without the union'as a whole having been consulted. 'The facts had been put before the executive without result. "It appears that the executive are playing into the hands of the employers," Mr. Farland continued. "From what I could see if-any question at all has to be decided the Executive has to refer the matter to the Employers' Federation.before they can give an answer. Certain papers -m. this town are trying to make it appear -as if wo are trying to get hold of this new union's funds so, as to '. convert them to our.own' uses.' . They also say that ex-strikers aro stirring ■up strife and want another strike. Well all I can say is that wo are npt doing anything of the kind. The strike is finished and we have been forced under the Arbitration Act so we have to push this union along.for all we are worth. Men are trying to get, as much work as possible so as to make up for what was lost during the strike. The employers had a good win this ' time,' but they can't win every time. A;'man has a right to bind himself under any organisation ho chooses. We've tried; to find cut the inner workings of our union, and as members of such wo''aro entitled to know what is being done. But wo have reached a certain staco now and we can't go any further because of the executive's actions." ' Mr., Bruce told those present that they had not any copies of the agreement and if they wanted to see one a visit had tobe paid to the Supreme Court. He stated that the agreement had he.cn broken in many ways. The speaker advised members to go ■ to tho Labour Department and stale their grievances if they could not get any satisfaction <out' of the executive, and iinyo them cited for a branch of the award. Ho advocated- tho .dismissal of the executive and told niombers that if they were not satisfied with the. way things were going not to support the union in any way. The report was adopted, and :t was resolved to put the matter in the hands of a lawyer with a view to finding out the legal standing, of all members of tho union. It was further decided that a report be submitted at a subsequent meeting. Tho report of tho Picnic Committee was held over. ' It was decided to instruct the executive to call a meeting-of the union for 8 p.m. on Thursday of thisweek.