The Birth and Growth of the N.Z. Federation of Labor.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 61, 10 May 1912, Page 3

The Birth and Growth of the N.Z. Federation of Labor.

By P. H. HICKEY.

11. It would !m> contrary to fact to imply that 110 earlier attempts had been made to bring tho workers of Now Zealand together into one organisation than that mado by West Coast unions. Tho Trades Councils, at their annual conference in Duncdiu in 1007 passed a resolution, and indeed drafted a scheme of organisation, to that end. Hut, like many other resolutions passed by that body, it renminbi a resolution. Action was absent. About this time, too, a union not connected with tho Tiudcn Councils—tho Waikato Miners—circularised tho unions of Now Zealand upon tho question of federation. Nothing camo of that attempt, as far as tho writer knows. Many unions replied, somo in tho affirmative, some in tho negativo; whilst a great number, still deep in their arbifrution-bred slumber, refrained from replying at all. One effect of tho Waikato Minors' circular was to arouse discussion "upon tho question of federation, not alone among tho miners' unions, but in the ranks of Labor generally. This was amply borne out by tho 1908 Conference of the Trades Councils, wdieti the question of a Dominion federation was again discussed. The first official movement towards launching the Federation was made towards tho latter part of May, 1008, when tho Blackball and State Miners' Unions, at meetings of the respective bodies, discussed the question. Resolutions were carried to the effect that the various West Coast unions be written to, informing those organisations of the movement ma<lo. Other attempts at federation had failed, mainly through the procrastination of unions. Poth the Blackball and State Miners' Unions decided that it would bo a far wiser proceeding to appoint representatives fo visit the different unions and place before them the necessity of closer organisation than to depend upon a circular letter- With this object in view, Messrs. 11. Somplo and P. If. Hickev, representing the State and Blackball Miners' Unions respectively, were selected. It is well to note that at tin's lime the intention was to fc-rm a Federation of Labor, not a miners' federation, and at all meetings addressed and in ballots taken this was tlie idea in tho minds of union members. It was theVight that if tlr l whole of the unions of the West Coast could he brought together into one organisation this would serve as a nucleus of a federation which could, with the expenditure of intelligence aiu' energy, be made Dominion wide. In order to avoid the possibility of unions shelving tho issue after it had been put before them, the two delegates were equipped witli properly-worded ballot papers. Before every address care was always taken that sonic member of the union was furnished with a resolution calling for a ballot of members on tho following clay. In practically every instance this was done. '|/io two delegates first visited the Buller district, Denniston being the first union addressed. Tho meeting was enthusiastic, though not very large. At tho Suggestion of visiting representatives, this union appointed its President (John Foster) to accompany them in their tour of the district. The day following the delegates' meeting, this union took a ballot on the question of federation, and decided in favor by over 10 to 1. The same result was attained at Granity, Scddonville, .iiid Wo.stport. It is interesting to note that in all of the places visited in the BnlbT, with tho exception of Denniston, the greatest obstacle to overcome was the fear lest federation meant the abandonment of arbitration. Despite the fact that these unions had won but little or nothing from the Arbitration Court during the previous few years, there was a reluctance to take any stop which might affect the organisation's status with the Court. It was only upon a .solemn assurance being given that the Arbitration Court would not be relegated to tho past by the proposed organisation that the greatest opposition was overcome. At that time, but fiinr years ago, to advocate withdrawal from the Court, would have meant the combined opposition of praoltoallv the whole of the unions of the West Coast. There was

Antecedent History.

Bringing the Miners Together.

no really logical reason given in favoi of tho Act, unless repeated refer&ncv to the maiitimo strike could bo accept ed as such. Pro-arbitratioiiists wen not prepared to impartially discuss whether it was possible to win greater advantage through an eennoniie organisation than per milium of arbitration. Arbitration was a fetish. Fooling, not reason, guided its supporters. Back of . the bald statement that ' r wc must havo arbitration," without giving any adequate reason for tho assertion, one could detect the scarecrow of tlie '(H) strike. As both Messrs. Semple and Iliekey wore known to be opposed to arbitration, at a time when arbitration was popular, maiiv of its ardent supporters were afraid lest the new movement might mean a danger to their Ih>loved institution. Were they gifted with the powers of prophecy? Leaving tho Duller district, the delegates visited in turn Beefton, Globe Hill, Brtinnertoii, and finally Groymoulli watorsiders. In all of the places, with the exception of Groymoutb, tho delegates wero highly successful. The initial steps towards federation having met with such success, it was decided that .1 meeting of delegates to draft a constitution and rules and to decide upon a plan of campaign was advisable. For tho dale and meeting-place. August at Greynioiilh was deeidoil upon. Before the Greymoutli conference eventuated, however, the 'annual conference of I ho Trades and Labor Councils of the Dominion took place in July at Wellington. Tho West Coast unions were at that time represent ed at tho Trades Councils' conference through tho Westland Trades and Labor Council, of which all were members. Tho West, Coast delegates to that conference were Messrs. J. Foster, J. Jackson, and P. If. Among the many remits discussed was one dealing with federation. A constitution and rules were drafted and agreed to and every promise given that no pains would bo spared to bring it into effect. Considerable enthusiasm appeared to mark this question of "consolidating Labor and giving effect to previous conference decisions." On Tuesday, August 1, the conference of delegates of West Coast unions met in the clubroom of the Empire Hotel, Greymoutli. The following delegates were present :—-Messrs. P. ('illuming, Seddonville: J. Wesley. Granity : J. fuster, Donnis'nii : If. Kennedy, Tnaiigahiri ; G. Newton, Bi/tinnerfon ; P. Semple. Slate Collieries: acd P. H. Iliekey, Blackball. R. Semple was elected president and I. If. Iliekey secretary. The first question to be discussed was the nature of the Federation to be formed. All the unions represented bad agreed to the launching of a Federation of Labor, but delegates felt that in view of the movement made in Wellington it would be unfair fo jeopardise th, efforts towards federal ion tn be made by ibe Trades Councils. The altitude of ibis conference towa'ds tieTrades Councils can lie gatb'-n-d from the following resolution, taken from tho Federation minute book, which 1 print in full:--"That in view of tlnaction taken in Wellington In form a New Zealand Federation of Labor, th'< name 'if the Federation to be formed he the N.Z. Federation of Miners." This was earned unanimously. I wish to remark right here that this resolulion shows Die desire of that conference to avoid doing anything which would hamper or injure the Trades Councils' conference in its endeavor to launch a Federation of Labor. The cry so often raised that, by launching the N.Z.F.L., the Federation of Miners trampled upon the privileges of the Trades Councils is not borne out by fact. The minors' unions had already moved in that direction, but seeing the Councils apparently earnestly desirous of moving towards the same end, its bands were sfiu'ed. It left a eh... ir fi,.],] to the Councils and departed from its original purpose, that of organising a N.Z.F.L.. to form a N.Z. Federation of Miners. Tlie West Coast organisations wore not looking for any kudos in the matter; uliat vas wauL-d, and wanted as soon as possible, was i]v workers of New Zealand bro-ughl together inlo one organisation. If the Trades and Labor Councils were prepared to carry ouL ibis very necessary work, no obsfade. in the shane of a ri'-al organisation, would be placid in the way. (To be conf inued.'i