The New Zealand Federation of Labour

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 14, 9 June 1911, Page 2

The New Zealand Federation of Labour

"IN THINGS ESSENTIAL. UNITY."

Preamble

We hold that all men are created to be free, a.id should have equal access and opportunity to the enjoyment ot all benefits to be derived from their exertions in dealing with the natural resources of the earth, and that tree access and equal opportunity thereto are absolutely necessary to mans existence and the upward progress of the human race. Through the rapid gathering of wealth and the centreing of°the management of industries into fewer and fewer hands, Trades Unions are unable to cope with the ever-grow-ing power of the employing class, because Trades Unions foster a state ol things which allows one set of workers to be pitted against another set ot workers, thereby helping to defeat one another in wage wars. These condi tions can be changed and the interest.of the working class uphold only by an organisation formed in such a way that if the necessity arises all its members shall make an injury to one an injury to all. Therefore we deem it necessary to organise and maintain i-_- New Ze. land Federation of Labour. Araongs our lawful purpose* wo declare mo. ■especially our objects to be : — RULE I.—OBJECTS. Clause I. —To create and maintain a fund for such purposes, in harmony with and promotive of the objects ol this Federation, as shall approve them selves to the Executive Committee thereof. . Clause 2. —To improve the condition and protect the interests of the members of Federation by increasing the proportionate share of the wealth o± the workers, shortening tho hours of labour, and endeavouring to educate for the compiete abolition of the present wage system, and the substitution of the common ownership of tne means of production. Clau-e 3. —To secure employment oi' ©ur members in preference to nonunionists ; to maintain a spirit of fraternal sympathy with the workers ot this and other countries by assisting them when necessary. Clause 4. —To use our united efforts to discourage the contract labour and bonus system, and as soon as possible to abolish these, believing the said systems to be detrimental to the best interests of organised labour. Clause 5. —To enable and provide for -tha Federation to own, publish, and •©ontrol a weekly newspaper. Clause 6. —To ensure to members who are proved to have been unjustly -reated the support ot the Federation. RULE 2.—CONSTITUTION. Clause 1. —This Organisation shall be known as the "New Zealand Federation of Labour." Clause 2. —(a) The New Zealand Federation of Labour shall be composed of actual wage-earners, brought together in a Federation of Unions, Unions and individual members, providing they subscribe to the principles •and objects of this organisation.

(b) Individual members shall mean actual wage workers who desire to attach themselves to the iS.Z.F.O.L. until such tune as a branch of said organi_au_i-, -- which they are eligible shall be organised in the locality where said individual member may reside.

(c) No _iv;ar*;sation shall be per--mitted to join said Federation without hrst tafcang a referendum affirming th© desirability of joining aforesaid JF-deration.

Clause 3. —Federation of Industries and Unions affiliated with the N.Z. F.O.L. shall have complete industrial .autonomy in their respective internal affairs, providing that the general executive shall have power to control •these organisations in matters concerning the interests of the general welfare.

World's Wealth for Worlds Workers

Clause 4. —(a) Any Union of Workers or individual may become affiliated as hereinbefore provided by paying the quarter's contributions of Is. per member in advance.

(b) Federation of Unions shall be admitted on paying the quarter's contributions of 6d per member in advance. Federation of Unions to mean N.Z. Federation of Unions.

Clause 5. —Delegates representing a majority of the members comprising th.-? Federation shall constitute a quoru.n.

Clause 6. —Revenue and Disbursements.—Th_ revenue of the Federation shall be derived from an annual per capita tax on every financial member, to be paid by each Union quarterly in advance, and in case of emergency such levies as, in the judgment of the Executive Committee, may be necessary. The same shall be based and paid on the preceding report previous to such levy.

Clause I. —The annual conference ot the -N.Z.F.O.L. shall be the supreme legislative body of the organisation, and its actions and enactments shall haVe legal force, unless reversed upon a referendum vote of the whole membership, touching any and all amendments to the organic law which conference may adopt. A referendum shah oniy be taken when in the opinion- of the Executive it is necessary, or on a requisition signed by not less than 1000 financial members.

Clause B.—-Representation m _ this Federation for all purposes whatever shall be based upon the dues paid by any Union. Each Union shall be entitled to one vote for one hundred members or less, and one vote for each additional one hundred or majority fraction thereof, provided no Union shall send more than three delegates to any Conference. Voting on all questions to be by proxy in the same proportion.

Clause 9. —Representation at the annual conference shall be based on the January report prior to the holding of the conference, and the January report of each year shall be an annual report; provided, in case a special Conterence is held, the representation shall be based on the last report prior to the calling of the special Conference.

Clause 10. —Delegates Unions to the annual Conference shall be paid by the Federation on the basis of one delegate for every 375 members or less, two delegates for 375 to 750, above 750 three delegates. Delegates shall be paid 22s 6d per day, with second class railroad and first class steamship fares to and from scat of Conference. Delegates from Federation of Unions shall be paid on the basis of one delegate for 750 members or less, two delegates from 750 to 1500, over 1500 three delegates. Clause 11. —The Federation may be dissolved by 4-5 (four-fifths) majority of the members voting by ballot in favour of such dissolution.

Clause 12.—--Alteration of Rules. —No new rules shall be made, nor shall any of the rules herein contained be amended, altered, or rescinded, unless a notice to that effect be given to the secretary signed by the proposer and seconder, distinctly stating such alteration or new rule, at the conclusion of the first day of the Annual Conference, when the delegates present at the following sitting shall decide the same. All alterations, amendments, or new rules shall be submitted to the Registrar of Friendly Societies.