"IN THINGS ESSENTIAL UNITY." Preamble.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 50, 23 February 1912, Page 7

"IN THINGS ESSENTIAL UNITY." Preamble.

Wo hold that all men are created to bo 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 aro absolutely necessary to man's existence and tho upward progress of the human race Through tlie rapid gathering of wealth and tho 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 ono set of workers to bo pitted against another set of workers, thereby helping to defeat ono another in wage wars. Theao conditions can be changed and the interests of tho working class upheld only by an organisation formed in such a way that if the nccesoity 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 wo declare more especially our objects to be:-— RULE 1.-OBJECTS. Clause 1.-—To create and maiutftifl a

fund for such purpose*, in harmony with and promotive of the objects of this Federation, as shall approve themselves to the Executive Commj'iee thereof. Clause 2.—To improve the conditions and protect the interests of tho members of tho Federation by increasing tho proportionate share of tho wealth of tho workers, shortening the hours of labor, and endeavouring to educate for the complete abolition of the present wage system, and tho substitution of tho common ownership of tho means of production. Clause 3. —To secure employment of our members in prelercnce to nonunionists; to maintain a spirit of fraternal .sympathy with the workers of this ami 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 tho 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 aro proved to have been unjustly treated tho support of the Federation. PULE 11.-CONSTITUTION. Clause I.—This organisation shall be known as the "}\e\v 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 Union* 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 aro 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 (a).-—Any union of workers or individuals may becomo affiliated as hereinbefore provided by paying tho 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 members comprising tho Federation shall constitute a quorum. Clause 0. —Revenue and Disbursements: Tho revenue of tho Federation shall be derived from an annual per capita tax upon every financial member, to bo paid by each Union -quarterly in advance, and in case of emergency such levies as, in Ihe judgment of tho Executive Committee, may be necessary. Tho same shall bo based and paid on tho preceding report previous to bucli 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 tho whole membership, touching any and all amendments to tho organic Jaw which conference may adopt. A _ referendum shall only bo taken when in the opinion of tho Executive it is necessary; or on a requisition, signed by not less than 11)00 financial members. Clause 8. —Representation in this Federation for all purposes whatever shall be based upon the dues paid l.y any Union. Each Union shall he 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 bo by proxy in the same, portionClause !).— Representation at tho annual conference, shall bo based on the January report prior to tho holding of tho conference, and the January repoit of each year shall be sn annual report, provided, in case a special conference is lie Id, the representation shall he based on the hist report prior to the calling of the special conferenen Clause 10.— Delegates from Unions to the annual conference shall he paid by tho Federation on tho basis of one delegate for every 375 members or Jess, two "delegates for 375 to 750, ala-.-e 75(1 three delegates. Delegates shall he paid '22s (id per day, with second-class railroad and lirsf-class steamship fares, to and from the seat of conference. Delegates from Federation of Unions shall bo paid on the basis of one delicate for 7 5U members or Jess, two delegates 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 favor of such dissolution. Clause 12.—Alteration of Rules: No now rules shall bo made, nor shall any of tho rules herein contained be amended, altered, or rescinded, unless a notice to that effect be given | ( > the tecrotary, signed by the proposer and seconder, distinctly staling such .alteration or new rule, at the conchc-iou of tho first day of the annua! oonf*.ence. when the delegates present at the following sitting shall decide tho same. All alterations, amendments, or new rules shall be. submitted to the Registrar of Friendly Societies