JOIN N.Z. WORKERS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3266, 21 May 1943, Page 3

JOIN N.Z. WORKERS

SHAREMILKERS’ UNION — : ' CONDUCT OF AFFAIRS ! DECISION IN morrinsville The Morrinsville branch of the Sharemilkers’ Union held its second meeting in the Municipal Chambers, Morrinsville, on Saturday night. Present were the chairman (Mr G. Collins), the secretary (Mr M. Ban) and an attendance of about 25 sharemilkers. Also present, at the invitation of the secretary, was the general secretary of the New Zealand Workers’ Union (Mr L. C. Hair), the Auckland branch* secretary (Mr W. Harnett) and the Auckland district organiser of the New Zealand Workers’ Union (Mr W. Church). Mr Collins outlined' to the meeting subjects discussed with the Farmers’ Union on May 8. He then gave details- of sharemilkers’ problems, saying that the halfpenny rise on the •price of butterfat 'meant an average increase of £2O to the thirds sharemilker producing 30,000 pounds of butterfat. “Rise” Really a' Decrease However, the award stated that for every halfpenny rise the farm labourer had’ to be paid an extra five shillings a week, and as the average sharemilker • employed two extra 'besides ■ those of his; family this meant that the “rise” was really a decrease of £6, a year.

A V similar position arose in respect to the 'quarters sharemilker. This position had occurred with each of the three rises the sharemilker had received.

'Outlining the advantages which the sharemilkers would enjoy if they joined the New Zealand Workers Union, the general secretary of that body said that a representative of the Workers’ Union would attend every meeting of the Sharemilkers Union and advise the sharemilkers on the conduct of their affairs. He urged the meeting to form, a branch of the New Zealand Workers’ Union. Join N.Z. Workers’ Union

On the motion of Mr T. Hanson, seconded by Mr Ban, it was decided “that this meeting of Morrinsville sharemilkers join the New Zealand Workers’ Union.”

The chairman of the Matamata .Sharemilkers’ Union, Mr G. Neems, attacked the chairman for supporting the resolution condemning the present guaranteed price proposed at the meeting of farmers with the Minister of Agriculture last week, saying that he considered that the action of the chairman was a con-

demnation of the Labour Government and of Mr Barclay.

Replying, Mr Collins said that his support of the motion was definitely in loyal support of the interests of the sharemilkers and was in no way intended to condemn the Labour Government or Mr Barclay.

Owing to noise at the back of the hall at the meeting with the Minister it was possible that Mr Collins had not heard all the motion. He apologised if his action had been misconstrued.

The following officers were elected: President, Mr E. Follows; secretary, Mr M. Ban; committee, Messrs L. Steed, G. Bunning and A. Allen. Mr Collins did not seek election. The meeting was closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.