TIMBER WORKERS' CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 240, 28 June 1918, Page 7

TIMBER WORKERS' CONFERENCE

DELEGATES MEET IN WELLINGTON • REMITS CONSIDERED Tho annual conference of the New Zealand Timber Workers' Fedoralia.t opened yesterday in the Eeeliive Chambers, Courtenay Place. The delegates present were: Messrs. T. O'Byrnc (Southland), 11. Hunter (Westland and Canterbury), Foster (Canterbury), A. G. Wilkinson and .1. Read (Wellington), and E. Phelan (Auckland). The president (Mr. O'Byrne) presided, and welcomed Ihe delegates. He said he believed that the timber industry of New Zealand had contributed a greater proportion of its workers to the war tlitin any other industry, and the ranks of the unions concorned had been heavily depleted. However, it was the duty of those remaining to "keep the home fires burning," and strive for better industrial conditions so that our warriors would realise that those at home hud done their duty during their absence on tho battlefield. Mr. O'Hyrne reported that ho had boon invited some months ago to visit We.st.land on an organising tour, and lie had responded as the president of the federation. The result of a month's organising had been the formation of a Timber Workers' Union on the AVest Coast, of about 350 members, which would be ot benefit generally. He had just returned from a visit to Australia, and whilst in Sydney had attended tho conference of delegates from all the unions of timber workers in Australia. lie received a warm welcome, and tendered fraternal greetings (o the conference on behalf of the iintbers workers of New Zealand, which were heartily reciprocated. - The secretary reported that the. Dunertin and Timai'it Unions had decided no to send delegates this year, a.s their finances were rather low, but they wished tho conference every success, and Dunedin had sent forward some romits for consideration. Tho West Coast Workers' Union was at present getting ready for its first annual meeting, which was to bo hold at Grcymoufh on June 21), and :i ballot was now being taken for election of officers, otherwise the secretary would have attended the conference. ' New awards hud recently been obtained in Wellington and Otago. and the Canterbury Union's case would be heard at the next silting of tho Court at Christchurch. The Otago award had not given satisfaction, as the increases given by the Court were very small when compared with the increased cost of living. The annual balance-sheet, which showed a substantial credit, was received and adopted.

Sergeant Tom Long was welcomed as a visitor to the conference, and congratulated upon his return to the Dominion after "doing his bit" in France. Sergeant Long suitably responded, and the conference on its adjournment fnrewelled him un his departure for Auckland by the midday express. The conference resumed at 2 p.m. Mr. A. G. Wilkinson was elected chairma u', and Mr. H. Hunter (Christchurch) secretary. The following resolutions were adopted: "That the time has arrived when tho exportation of timber should be strictly regulated by the Government, and stops, taken to compel sawinillers to make the best: uso of all logs from the point of view of economy."—(Wellington.) "That the conference agree that steps be taken to procure uniformity of awards throughout ihe Dominion."— (Otago.)

"That no union proceed for ;i new agreement or award uutil it has consulted the federation executive, and given it a chance lo recommend a delegate to the conference with the employers, or an assessor before the Council of Conciliation, as tha case may he."—(Otago.) "That this conference objects to carpenters and joiners and their apprentices working machines in factories governed hy the timber workers' awards, and thai all carpenters' societies be notified, with a view to a common understanding being arrived at."—(Otago.) "That this conference urge the (lovernmpiit lo introduce special legislation, in similar tonus lo the Coal Mines Act, 'M, whereby. Ihe Stato limber workers would he brought under the jurisdiction of awards of the Arbitration Court."— (Auckland -No. 1.) "That the Workers* Compensation Act Ijc amended to provide: 'That all employers of'labour be compelled to insure their employees against accident, and that failure lo do so be met by a.term of imprisonment.' "Payment of full wages during period of incapacity as tho result uf an accident, and full medical expenses allowed by the employer. "That employers be compelled to insure I heir employees in the Stato office. 'That compensation |» mado parable on the ordinary pay day of the employee concerned, instead of, at present, the employer leaving the worker to the tentier mercies of insurance companies."— (Auckland No. 2.) The conference adjourned until DUO o clock this morning.