TIMBER WORKERS CONFER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 234, 27 June 1919, Page 10

TIMBER WORKERS CONFER

SIX-MJR.M ADVOCATED

QUESTION OF ONE BIG UNION

The Now Zealand Timber Workers' Federation opened its annual conference in tho Trades Hall yesterdny morning. Mr. J. Read (Wellington) was temporarily voted to tho chair. The following delegates were present:—Mr. T. O'Byrno (Southland), Messrs. AV. Blackburn and H. AVillis (Otago), Mr. F. Tur'.ey (Westland), Mr. E. Phelan (Auckland), and -Mr. It. Hunter, secretary to the federation (Canterbury).

The secretary reported that a large union had been formed in (ho King Country. It Jind been unable to seiid a delegate to the conference. AVestland was represented for the first lime. The.Now Plymouth Union regretted that it was unable to he represented, but forwarded its best wishes for the success of the conference. The year just ended had been a quiet one for timber-workers. Tho Christchui'ch Union had obtained a- new award similar to that which had been granted in Dunedin. 'Die finances of the federation were in a satisfactory state. The Westland delegate was warmly welcomed.

Tho secretary's report was adopted. Mr. Read resigned tho chair in favour of Mr. O'Byrne. The appointment of a committee to put tffu remits in order for discussion concluded the morning's business. •

Tho remits quoted below wero moved in the afternoon:—

"That the conference affirms the principle of a six hours days." iSouthland.) Speaking to the motion, Mr. Read contended that tho proposal was in the right direction. It had been demonstrated that with improved methods and machinery the production of wealth per head had been increased enormously, • while there had.been no relative decrease in the length of tho working day. Mr. l'helan urged the conference to be careful. Many unions had awards made upon an hourly basis. If the conference advocated a six-hour day, it must go for a daily or a weeklj wage. He suggested that the motion be amended to'read:

"That the conference affirms the principle of a forty-hour week."

Mr. Turley thought it quite safe to "affirm the principle of the six-hour day." Adjustments to safeguard tho worker could he seen to when necessary. No union, said Mr. Phelan, should ever go to the Court and ask for anything less than a weekly wage.

Tho amendment was lost nnd the motion, carried.

"That tho federation urge the Government to increase the duty on imported doors, sashes, mouldings, and all manufactured timber, also.on Oregon timber under the size of 12 by 12 or its equivalent." (Otago.) Mr. AVillis suggested that New Zealand timber manufacturers should be asked to unite with the workers in trying to secure the proposed increase in duty. The remit was carried. "That an eight-hour clay from mill to mill in bush sawmills be introduced by legislation."—(Westland.) Mr. Turley said that ho knew of cases in which workers had to travel distances ranging from six to sixteen miles to the mill. Tho remit was carried. "That at least, three months' notice of the, conference shall be given to affiliated bodies, and a request for remits at the same time; nnd that the list of 'remits shall he in the hands of unions one month before the conference takes place."-' -(Wellington.) In amendment, Mr. O'Bryne moved for two months' notice, but found- no seconder. The remit was carried. ' "That the conference favours the oue-big-union scheme, with a universal ticket, and would urge all unions to givu it their serious consideration."—(Southland.)

Mr. O'Byrne, the mover, urged that the adoption of the scheme would save expenso to unions. In the. centres there, could he one general secretary in one general office. The present secretaries of unions would find scope for useful effort in tho field of organisation, nnd the enrolling of new members.

Mr. Turley: seconded the motion pro forma, but urged that the conference could do something more practical than merely affirm a principle. It could take steps to cirate first ouo big union for timber workers from the North Cape to the Bluff. Then tho "one big union," covering all the wage-earners of New Zealand, would have been brought nearer. The conference accepted in substitution for the remit, the following motion by. Mr. Turley: "AVhile affirming tho principle of one big union, the conference believes that thq first thing to do is to bring about one big union of the timber workers of A'eiv Zealand; and with this object in view, it instructs the secretary of the federation to communicate with all unions of timber workers in the country, asking them to take a vote upon the matter. If the unions are agreeable to the proposal, the next conference shall set up a committee to draw up rules for the approval of the unions. Tlie present delegates pledgo themselves to advocate the scheme:"

Mr. Tin-ley's, motion was carried.

"That the Factories Act bo amended to prevent boys under sixteen years of age from working in bush sawmills."—(AVestland.)

The remit was adopted. "That an advisory board bo created, consisting of .three members, whose duty will be to review carefully all applications to be made to a council or court for* new awards, war bonus, etc., and generally to assist all unions in drawing up new demands.'' ' The conference adopted the remit, and appointed a board, consisting of Messrs. O'Bryno, Phelan, Turley, and Hunter. It then adjourned till this morning.