TIMBER WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3051, 12 April 1917, Page 9

TIMBER WORKERS

FEDERATION BUSINESS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The annual conference of tho New Zealand Sawmills, Timber Yards, and Coal Yards Employees' Federation was opened in tho Beehivo Chambers yesterday morning. Mr. E. Phelan, Auckland, presided, and the following other dolegatos were present:—Messrs. I. O'Byrne (Southland), H. Willis and J. Ruston (Otago), H. Hunter (Canterbury), J. Read and' A. G. Wilkinson (Wellington). The chairman said he had beon attending the Federation Conferences for a number of years, and, although the ideals of the association had not been attained in any great degree, somo good had been done in tho way of assisting the workers, and also of assisting the Legislature to framo legislation, that would in somo degree meet with the timber-workers' approval. Th, secretary reported that the fed- , eration had a ■ small cash balaneo to ' its credit. Elootlon of Officers. Mr. Phelan, in retiring from tho chair, moved that Mr.'l. O'Byrno bo voted to the position. Mr. O'Byrne was elected,.and a vote of. thanks to the retiring chairman was carried. Mr. H. Hunter was re-elected secretary. . . Remits.

The following remits were adopted:— Southland.—That the conference protests against Parliament voting an extra year of,office without consulting the people. '''~•' That conference strongly protests against the Executive _making "Orders-in-Council" suppressing fres speech; and also against'government by tho making of regulations. ' ■ That, the second I sohedule ■of ths Workers' Compensation Aot be amended to provide 15 por cent..for the loss of part of tho left thumb. ' That in case of accident full medical expenses be allowed, and payment from date, of injury, irrespective of period of incapacity. ', . That a strong demand bo made, upon the - Government : io release the mon imprisoned under tho War Regulations. That the Government be urged to assume control of all industries that are 1 necessary for the feeding, .clothing, and housing of the people, in order to protedt them from tho unpatriotic onslaught of tho monopolists, so that tho oost of living to the people be reduoed to a, reasonable price: _ Otago.—That this conference objects to carpenters, joiners, _ and their apprentices working machines in factories governed by timber-workers' awards, and consider'the best means to prevent this obnoxious practice. That the federation take steps to secure a uniform - award for those unions whoso .awards expire on tho Bame date. ;. .:'■■'[ '■_..'; , : . -',■..■ ■,

, Gfenterbury.-7-That"the .question of organisation be, given speoial consideration with ra. view to co-operating with other industrial bodies in appointment of organisers.- :. That the. Government be urged ■: to givo power to local Labour Department officials to : proceed against offenders for breaches of awards, without having (as at present)'to first refer tho caso to the Jiead office-for official sanction to.proceed.../..-, Wellington'.—That conference' set.up a deputation to the Minister of Labour re the dust nuisance in timber factories., with a view to its prevention. .That the Government be urged to make it compulsory upon all employers to insure their employees against accident in the State Insurance office. Auckland.—That the attitude adopted by the Farmers' Union (asking that a prohibitive tariff be placed on white pine exported from the Dominion) be condemned. . That this conference urge the Government to introduce special legislation in similar terms to the Coal Mines Act, 1908, whereby State' timber-workers would come under the jurisdiction of the Arbitration and Conciliation, Act. This step .is deemed necessary in view of the fact that the State will probably by purchase Or establishment ■ enter more, largely into the timber industry. •That railway concessions similar to those enjoyed by. railway wdrkers be extended .to State timber-workers who aTe controlled by the Railway Department. That this conference urge the various timber-workers' unions throughout'the'. Dominion to adopt a uniform scab of entrance fee. and contribution.. '■•' Miscellaneous.—That the Government be urged to see that suitable accommodation is provided in every mill, ■yard, or factory for the workers to use as luncheon rooms, and that it also be urged to see that lockers are provided for the 'use of individual employees.: '.'.. • That the conference enters its emphatic protest against the fact that organised labour has been • ignored by the Government in the constitution of the Efficiency Board. The delegates will wait upon the Minister to-day in connection with matters arising out of the conference.