Watersiders' Conference.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 45, 19 January 1912, Page 11

Watersiders' Conference.

FIRST DAY. Tho various delegates appointed to represent tho Waterside Unions affiliated to the N.Z.F.L. assembled in the Socialist Hall, Manners street, Wellington, on Monday, January 8, P. C. Webb, N.Z.F.L. President, presiding. In welcoming delegates to conference the President spoke at some length on the position, and trusted that conference would proceed amicably towards the inauguration of a Dominion agreement. Mr. R. Semple also addressed the conference, speaking particularly on the need of united action and the avoidance of all bickering and backbiting amongst mem bars of tho Federation. He stressed the need of a thorough understanding between all units of the Federation for the mutual good of all concerned. Referring to the bond suggested by shipowners he deprecated anything of such a nature as a measure peculiarly suitable to tho employers, who would need only to iiarass the workers in order to produce strife sufficient to enable them to estreat the bond. He fully explained what had transpired at Dunedin during the first conference, and hoped that Dunedin dej mauds would bo made to conform with those of tho other ports. Agreement. Mr. H. Yoyce- (Lyttekon.) moved: "That under no consideration would the N.Z. waterside workers agree to any agreement being ratified by the Arbitration Court, and in no case would the question of a bond be considered, other than the signatures of the officers of the N.Z.F.L..''--Seconded by Mr. L. Glover (Wellington), and carried. Press. Mr. R. Semple moved that a brief general report be given to the press, subsequent to being endorsed by the conference.-—Seconded by G. G. Farland, and carried. Employers' Power to Act. [ Mr. W. Hyde (Wellington) moved that the owners' representatives be requested to state their power to act. also that the chairman be asked for a list of delegates and the name of the companies wJioui they represent.— Seconded by H. Wallace (Wellington;. and carried. Moved by G. G. Farland and L. Glover (Wellington) that the agreement bo signed for twelve months, and to continue in force until superseded by a new agreement.—Carried. Preferonsc CJauje. R. Semple moved that the Nelson clause, together with clause 1, Wellington, be agreed to as the clause for the national agreement. Engaging Labor. R. Semple referred to the present system of engaging labor in scathing terms, and suggested that steps should be taken to devise some better method than that at present in vogue. Mr. L. Glover moved that the nextorder of business, tho engagement of labor, be taken. —Seconded by G. G. Farland. R. Semple moved as an amendment that one delegate of. each union meet to consider a better method of engaging labor, and that their report be handed to Tuesday's conference.—Seconded by W. E. Bowen (Nelson) and carried. To Refer only to Chief Ports. L. Glovor (Wellington) moved to delete 7.45 a.m. in Wellington demands j and add 8 a.m., and that this become the national demand. —Seconded by Agar (Lyttelton) and carried. Ib was agreed in connection with the above, that it would only refer to Lyttelton, Timaru, Wellington, and considered by Auckland delegates : further, that the small ports meet and refer their report on this matter to Tuesday's conference. Committees to Compile Uniform Demands. The question of setting up three committees was then considered. Mr. Lurch moved that three committees be set up to compile uniform demands to bo compared and submitted to Tuesday's conference. Tho following committees were- appointed:—No. 1 Page: Messrs. Agar, W. Hyde, A. Glover, Carl and WoodWard. No. 2 Page: Messrs L. Glover, Lamont, Lurch, Bowen, and Gould. No. 3 Page: Messrs W. Wallace , , Yoyce, Farlaud, Smith and P. Green. The meeting then went into committee.

Drafting Dominion Demands.

A Record Conference.

SECOND DAY. Minutes of previous day wore read. Mr. L Glover moved that the minutes ho received and adopted.—Seconded b> W. Hyde .and carried. Representatives from Wanganui put in ail appearance. Mr. L. Clever moved that an explanation be asked from the Wanganui delegatos. Mr. Geo. McKay briefly addressed the. meeting. He stated that the secretary of the local Wanganui Union and himself were present to watch the demands in the interest of the Wanganui Union and the Waterside Workers' Federation. Mr. Glover asked whether the delegates from Wanganui had power to act on this conference. E. E. Caiiham (Auckland) moved that the Wanganui delegates be welcomed to tiie deliberations of the conference as quests.—Seconded by L. Glover ami carried. The President called on the secretary of each committee to give the result of their deliberations in coniniitteo. Mr. Agar read his report. Mr. G. G. Farland (Wellington) moved that the conference be divided into two in order to reach conformity. —Seconded by L. Glover and carried. Moved by Messrs. R. Semplc and G. G. Fa Hand and carried: That the ugree-int-nt be taken in order that three proposals !>e submitted to each committee before finally adopting.

Moved by Messrs R. Semple and L. Glover: That the Woiigamii delegates be allowed to object to any matter in the proposed agreement which may be arrived at.

Mom] by Messrs. W. Lament ("Westport) and W. Bowon, and cai , i'k , d:''liat the secretary of the Federation sit with tli-o larger unions and Mr. Smiili with tlit> small' 1 ! - unions. The confcrcnco then divided, the IfU'iior pnrts of Lytiolton, Wellington, Auckland and Tiinuni taking 0110 ta!)lo. .•ind Wi'stpun. Xolson and I'att'a taking a rot her. Mr. G. G. Farland was appointed secretary to coninilo demands '.vli<>n fomnl-'ti'd.