“IN THINGS ESSENTIAL UNITY.”

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 39, 1 December 1911, Page 15

“IN THINGS ESSENTIAL UNITY.”

Preamble.

We hold that all men are created to be free, and should have equal access and opportunity to the enjoyment of all benefits to be derived from their exertions in dealing with the natural resources of the earth, and that free access and equal opportunity thereto are absolutely necessary to man's 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 of things which allows one set of workers to be pitted. against another set of workers, tliereby helping to defeat! one another in wage wars. These con-, ditionis can be changed~and the interests of the working class upheld 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 the New Zealand Federation of Labor. Amongst our lawful purposes we declare more especially our objects to bo:—

RULE I.—OBJECTS.

Clause 1. —To create and maintain a fund for such purposes, in harmony with and promotive of the objects of this Federation, as shall approve themselves to the Executive Committee thereof. Clause 2. —To improve the conditio"* and protect the interests of tho members of ■ the Federation by increasing the .proportionate share of the wealth of the workers, shortening the hours of labor, and endeavouring to educate for

Invention lias filled the factories with wonderful labor-saving appliances and Aw .streets with auiemployed. IPhore is no creature so contemptible as the human Ixong wiio goes through life seeking the line of least re-

the> complete abolition of the present wage system, and the substitution o€ the common ownership of the means of production. Clause 3.—To secure employment of our members in preference to nonunionists ; to maintain a spirit of fraternal sympathy with the workers of this and other countries by assisting them when necessary. Clause 4.—To use' our united efforts to discourage the contract labor and bonus system, and as soon as possible to abolish these, believing the said systems to be detrimental to the best interests of organised labor. Clause s.—To enable and provide for the Federation to own, publish, and control a< weekly newspaper . Clause 6.—To ensure to members who are proved to have been unjustly treated the support of the Federation.

RULE II.—CONSTITUTION.

Clause I.—This organisation, shall be known, as the ' 'New Zealand Federation of Labor." Clause. 2.—(a) The New Zealand Federation of Labor shall be composed of actual wage-earners, brought together in. a Federation of Unione 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 N.Z.F.L. until such time as a branch of the said organisation, to which they are eligible, shall be organised in .the localty where the individual member may reside. (c)- No organisation shall be permitted to join the Federation without first taking a referendum affirming the desirability of joining aforesaid Federation. ' Clause 3.—Federations of Industries and Unions affiliated with the N.Z. F.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. Clause 4. —Any union of workers or individuals may become affiliated as hereinbefore provided by paying the quarter's contributions of Is per member in advance. (5) 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 UnionsClause s.—Delegates representing a majority of members comprising the Federation shall constitute a quorum. Clause 6.—Revenue and Disbursements : The revenue of the Federation shall be derived from' an annual per capita tax upon 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 neces- ; sary. The same shall be based and paid on the preceding report previous to ' such levy. Clause 7. —The annual conference of the N.Z.F.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 adop:t. A referendum shall only bo taken .when in the opinion/ of the Executive it is necessary; J or on. a requisition,, signed by not less than 1000 financial members. Clause 8. —Representation in this •! Federation for all purposes whatever ' -shall be based upon the dues paid by Each Union shall be entitled to 3r&~-*f€Ao,,j:o>r one hundred: members or less, andTbronrote. -iQi\ each additional one- hundred or majority fraction thereof, provided no Union shall send more than three delegates to any conference. Voting on all ques-. tions 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 conference is held, the representation shall he based on the last report .prior- to the calling of the special conference. ; Clause 10. —Delegates from Unions \ to the annual conference shall be .paid by the Federation on the basis of one j delegate for every 375 members or less, v 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 the seat of conference. ; Delegates from Federation of Unions ; shall be paid on the basis of one dele- j gate for 750 .members or less, two dele- . gates from 750 to 1500, over 1500 three ; delegates- ■ Clause 11- —The Federation may be, dissolved by a 4-5 (four-fifths) majority ; of the members voting by ballot in fay- ! our of such dissolution. Clause 12.—Alteration of Rules: No new rules shall he made, nor shall any of the rules herein contained be amended, altered, or rescinded, unless a notice to that effect be given to the sec- i retary, signed by the proposes and,: seconder, distinctly stating such al- j teration or aiew 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 Regis- \ trar of Friendly Societies. , \

sistance. -Such are they who do liothiug either v.cry good 91' very bad. In ; truth they ; cannot bo said to live. Of such it was that Daait-e : said: ' "Talk not of 'them, biit Jbok and IAO/ss them by."