TRADES COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2431, 9 April 1915, Page 6

TRADES COUNCIL

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. . The annual meeting of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council was held last night in the Trades Hall. Mr, J. M'Kcnzio (president) was in the chair. The president's report stated that the year had been one of substantial progress. Owing to the exclusion from the council of all but industrial bodies, the year had. opened with a considerably reduced membership, but the result of the year's working had justified the change, the membership having increased by approximately 100 per cent. This result, the president considered, was very creditable to the management, and particularly to the secretary, Mr. Rearden. The report made reference to the cost of living, and alleged that the Food Commission appointed by the Government had failed in its duties. Soon after the outbreak of war the Arbitration Court had announced that it would not consider applications for. new awards, and a meeting:of the council had been called about making a protest. " This protest had been most ably made to the Court bv Mr. E. J. Carey, with the result that the Court had been ro-opened. I'lie present Trades Hall was unsatisfactory, and it was hoped that a real effort would' be made by unions to secure a new hall. The report conoluded with a reference to the Saturday halfholiday proposal, expressing a hope that on this occasion the object would be achieved. The roport was adopted. The following officers were elected:— President, Mr. W. Cooper; vice-presi-dent. Mr. P. O'Neill; secretary, Mr. L. M. A. Rearden; treasurer, Mr. H. Heap; trustees, Messrs. W. Waterworth and M. J. Reardon; committee, Messrs. A. Murray, E. J. Carey, R. A. Simpson, W. Wills, and J. M'Ketizio; auditor. Mr. H. Bolton.