FARM WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 209, 23 May 1918, Page 8

FARM WORKERS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

CONDITIONS OP WORKERS ON

THRASHING MILLS

The A. and P. Workers' Union Conference was continued 'yesterday. Tho committee sot up to draft conditions for tho Otago thrashers submitted' its report.

Mr. A. Cook said that in South Canterbury the best award conditions for thrashers in New Zealand were in.operation. The • contract system had been abolished, Is. 6d. an hour secured as a minimum, while the general rate of Is. 9d. an hour applied during last season. A strong organisation had also been built up. In Otago next to nothing had been done, and conditions there were very muoh worse than in .Canterbury. It was hoped by the present action to bring tho Otago men up to the South Canterbury level. Mr. S. Boreham moved, as an addition to tho clause proposed, "That should circumstances arise under which one man has to do two men's work, or two men nave to do three men's work, the wages of the extra man shall be paid to thoso who do his work." ■ Mr. A. J. Middlemiss seconded. Tho motion was lost, only the mover and seconded supporting it. The report of the committee, with the additions agreed upon, was unanimously endorsed. Mr. ST. Boreham moved, and Mr. ,T. Mee seconded, a motion instructing Messrs. Grayndler and Boreham to make the closest inquiries respecting the Otngo musterers and thrashers' movement for an award. This was carried.

Mr. S. Boreham move 3. and it was seeondeH by Mr. A. J. King:—"That, in tho opinion of this conference, of the A.P.U. who work under the contract system on thrashing mills operating in North Canterbury are keeping alive a, most' pernicious system, injurious and unprofitable to the farmer, in addition to being one of the greatest evils "Labour organisations have agreed should be effaced from our industrial system."—The motion was carried.

Tho following Christehurch remit: "That the general secretary embark on an organising tour through tho agricultural district, for the purpose of pointing out to the workers therein the steps that the union is prepared to take on their behalf," was moved by Mr. W. Boone. He sn'id that workers joining in the agricultural districts claimed that they were entitled to hear speakersas frequently as possible on the affairs of the union. This form of activity was needed to spread union principles and to enliven the interest of those ulready members. Mr. C. K. ltegister seconded the motion. He said that explanations of the union's position would tend to lessen opposition in Marlborough. Air.'A. J. King opposed the motion, which, he said, would overburden the secretary. Another difficulty was that speakers were hard to get; Mr. S. Borehani moved, as an amendment: "That, whenever opportunity arises, the general secretary, or some other member or qualified person appointed by the executive, Bhn.ll address meetings in tho agricultural districts with the object of informing the workers therein oh the policy of the union, and on what, it is prepared to do on their behalf." . Mr. A. .1. Middlomiss seconded the amendment. Mr, C. Grayndlor stated that already his work occupied all the time one human being could reasonably be expected to devote to it. He had given oTTo-half of his time to visits to the branches. If the rcso'utfbn meant that he had to give more, it would be quite impossible to transact the office business. Tho a-uondment was carried after considerable discussion, only Messrs. Boone and Register _ voting ugainst it. The following remit from Christchurch, "That the action of the National Government be condemned for sending men to the front without first making ample provision for their dopendants, and that the 1 Chvistclmrcli members who supported the National Government be also condemned." was unanimously adopted after the words "the Christchurch" had been deleted in favour of the word "all," before the words "members of Parliament.'"