Shearers’ and Labourers’ Union.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 744, 5 June 1894, Page 3

Shearers’ and Labourers’ Union.

The annual meeting of the above Union was hold in the Court House last Saturday evening. Considering the numerical strength of the branch, which has over a hundred members, the meeting was not well attended. Mr Borthwick (Chairman) presided.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Secretary read a circular with regard to the Benmore wet sheep dispute, and also a letter from Mr O’Brien, re old age pensions. Mr Boyens, the local delegate to the Conference recently held in Christchurch, gave a brief outline of tbe business done, but stated he was unable to present his report until a printed copy of the Conference proceedings had been forwarded. The following is the report and balance sheet submitted by the Secretary :

Mr Chairman and Members: I have much pleasure in placing before you a short report of the work performed by our branch since its inauguration, this day twelve months. Our membership was about forty at that date, since which, I am pleased to say, good progress has been made. During the past shearing season members have, in most cases, willingly and creditably taken up the duties of shed representatives, whereby our branch has been greatly strengthened; so much so, that I have not the last hesitation in stating, that, for the size of the district, and, also, from what I gather from the last general report to hand, we are now, comparatively, the strongest branch the Union has, our membership today being 120, or an increase for the year of about 80. This may be viewed as extremely gratifying. Nothing of any local importance, other than the questions of the price to be paid for crutching sheep,and the accommodation of shearers, has occupied the attention of this branch. The latter question has been brought before Parliament, a Bill was introduced dealing with the matter. We have been in regular communication with the Executive on matters of general interest, and a delegate has been sent on each occasion to the Conference, held in Sept. 1893 at Ashburton, and at Christchurch in April this year. This I trust, has been serviceable to our branch.

A more healthy feeling now exists on the question of Unionism, which is beginning to prove itself a factor in bringing about amicable arrangements between masters and men without resort to the ruinous expediency of strikes. As all are aware, a ballot was taken during the past shearing season on five important questions affecting the interest of the Union, and although some shed representatives found it rather tedious, or inconvenient, to get the forms filled in, yet something like 50 or 60 of our members voted, being, proportionately, more than

were recorded at other places, all of which tends to show tbwi * Kvely interest is being taken in Union matters by our members. With the establishment of an Insurance scheme, the control of a newspaper —to be run entirely on Labour lines, —and, also, the importation of sheep shears (with the heavy duty of 25 per cent removed) —the latter question was brought before Parliament last session, a Bill dealing with the matter having been introduced, but it was shelved for want of time; it is understood that the matter will be reintroduced during the coming session,—the Union hopes, in the near future, to be a factor for good to its members and fellow workers. Balance Sheet of the Kaikoura branch of the Amalgamated Shearers’ and Labourers' Union, from 3rd June, 1893, to 2nd June, 1894. Receipts :

The report and balance sheet were adopted. It was proposed by Mr Boyens and seconded by Mr Prior: that all members in arrears with their subscriptions be requested to pay up at once. Carried unanimously.

Mr Boyens stated that at the Conference it was decided that the different branches throughout the Colony shall contribute 50 per cent of the monies received by such branches during the first year of their existence, and urged that the local branch forward the requisite sum.

The Secretary said he had received no word about the matter.

Mr Boyens then moved : That bO per cent of tbe monies received by the local branch from 1893 to 1894 be sent to the Executive. Seconded by Mr Prior and carried. Tbe election of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with.

Mr Borthwick having declined to accept the office of Chairman, Mr Maxton was elected, with Messrs Peek and Renner Vice-Chairmen. Mr J. H. Cooper was reelected Secretary and Treasurer. On the motion of Mr Feek it was agreed that those present: Messrs Maxton (Chairman), Feek, Borthwick, H. Lawson, J. H. Cooper, Boyens, W. Wallace, jnr., L. Burney, J. Mitchell, Jackson and Prior form a Committee of Management,

It was proposed by Mr Boyens and seconded by Mr Feek : That the Secretary receive the sum of £5 for his past services. Carried unanimously. The Secretary asked whether any member had anything to say about shearers’ accommodation.

Mr Boyens, stated that Mr Kelly, M.H-R-, and Mr Collins, M.H.R., had both promised, at tbe Conference, to bring up the matter when the House met.

Mr Borthwick suggested they should ask their own Member (Mr Meredith) to do likewise, and thus bring about combined action.

The matter then dropped. Mr Feek moved: That bye-laws be drawn up by the Committee. Seconded by Mr Prior and carried. Mr Feek suggested that the rules be drawn up in time for a meeting to be held to consider the Conference report. A vote of thanks to the retiring officers terminated the proceedings.

£ s d By 1893 subs: 16 members 4 0 0 By 1894 subs : 120 members 30 0 0 34 0 0 Expenditure : £ 8 d To advertising meetings To lighting 8/, stationary 8/3, 15 6 stamps 13/ 1 9 3 To exchange on cheque To cash Executive 50 o/o 1893 1 0 subs on 14 members To refund unpaid tickets, Law1 7 6 son 10/, Sec. 20/ 1 10 0 5 3 3 To Deposit Bank N. Z. 25 0 0 To cash in hand 3 16 9 34 0 0