WATERSIDE CONFERENCE.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 27, 8 September 1911, Page 13

WATERSIDE CONFERENCE.

The N.Z. Waterside Workers' Federation commenced its annual conference in the City Council Chambers, Auckland, on August 28. F. Lurch, vicepresident of the Executive, occupied tho chair, and other delegates present were: Messrs R. Miller, W. Morris CDunedin) ; G. Terry, T. Smith and F. Curtis (Wellington); J. Goodall, H. C. Fraser (Greymouth) ; E. E. Canham, W. Boardman Bennett, Collett, and Schoilfield (Atickland) ; Harrison (Bluff) ; G. Legg (Gisborne) ; G. Smith (Patea) ; G. McKay (Wanganui) ; McCarthy (Napier) ; and W. Prin-g, J. Reid and H. Voyce (Lyttelton.). The vital question discussed for the first few days of conference was that of the linking-up of the Labor forces. Through the discussion and decisions on the question of amalgamation this conference will rank as the most important yet held by the Federation. After arranging details of routine, hours of sitting, etc., conference received W. T-. Mills to hea.r his unity scheme. Professor Mills gave an exhaustive outline of his proposals, maintaining that he was not out to cause a further split in the* ranks of Labor, but was desirous of healing the split which at present existed. 11. Scott Bennett addressed the conference and urged the necessity of On© Big Union. Sectional unionism had had itsday and was now played out. Whilst advocating the necessity of Industrial Unionism, Scott. Bennett pointed out that there was no need for conference to worry about unity schemes, as the machinery for an industrial organisation was already established by the inauguration of the N.Z.F.L. In response to an invitation _ from conference, the Federation President, P. C. Webb, who was in Auckland in connection with a mining dispute, addressed delegates upon tho N.Z.F.L. Aftea- outlining what the Federation had accomplished, he urged that the waterside, workers should be given an opportunity by referendxxm of saying whether they would come into the N.Z.F.L.

In reply to a question, Mr. Webb said that" affiliation to tho N.Z.F.L. did not necessarily imply cancellation of registration under the C. and A. Act, but was of the opinion that arbitration and Industrial Unionism could not go hand in hand.

The Greymouth remit —That conference accept W. T. Mills' proposals as tli© basis of amalgamation, was. after an exhaustive debate-, defeated by an amendment moved by G. Terry (WelliniCTton), that consideration of Mills' proposals bo deferred for 12 months, the voting being 12 to 9. After considerable "discussion, and the moving of other -amendments, G. Smith (Patea) moved: "That in tho opinion of the conference, fch« time has arxived when .the

executive should take a referendum as to whether this Federation will sever its connection with tne Trades amd Labour Council Federation and join the New Zealand Federation of Labor, tho referendum to be returnable in fotyr months, in the event of the same being carried, the 'executive to take immediate steps to give- effect to same." This was defeated.