CANTERBURY SHEARERS.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 87, 8 November 1912, Page 7

CANTERBURY SHEARERS.

ANNUAL MEETING

Election of Officers—Accident Case Walhl Union Prisoners.

The above took place on October 15. Mr. A. J. King, President (in the chair), in opening the meeting, expressed pleasure at the work of conference and confidence in the future of the organisation, which had been placed upon a sound footing. Very important changes had been made, which would be found to be in the best interests of the Federation. One very important matter was the centralising of the work of the unions into one office, and ho hoped that members would recognise that it was in their interests to help the general secretary and to direct all the union business to the one office. He hoped the branches would still take a live interest in the affairs of the unions and keep their monthly meetings well attended. This matter wa9 of great importance, as members must be kept in touch with the business of the union.

The secretary read the minutes of the last annual meeting, held on Octo'oer 16, 1911. The minutes were adopted as read on the motion of E. Taylor, seconded by W. Lamont.

The balance-sheet was adopted, on the motion of E. Fitzgerald, seconded by Chas. Wakelyn.

The President here stated that to his mind some misunderstanding existed as to the date of the annual meeting, as conference had altered all meetings to the first Tuesday in March of each year. He was not sure if tbe meeting was in order. W. Lamont and E. Taylor contended that the rules were not registered, and in any case members were not aware of the alteration, and it was also pointed out that the other unions were holding their annual meetings in October.

It was agree* to go on with the election of all officers, as the secretary pointed out that it was necessary to comply with the regulations by sending the names, etc., to the Registrar by January of each year. E. A. Fitzgerald was voted chairman pro tern. He expressed pleasure at the work done by the outgoing officers, and moved a vote of thanks to them for their services, which was carried by acclamation.

Nominations were called for the following offices: —

President: A. J. King, Queen street, TimaTU, elected; nominated by C. Wakelyn and T. Berry.

Vice-president: W. Mcintosh, Clive street, Timaru, elected; nominated by E. Taylor and W. Lamont.

Secretary: F. Waddell, 31 Maori Hill, Timaru. elected; nominated by E. Fitzgerald and W. Lamont).

Treasurer: W. Burgess, Timaru; nominated by J. Berry and J. Heath.

Trustees: Jeremiah O'Donoghue, West Belt, Timaru (nominated by J. Berry and J. Heath), and John O'Rourke, Kensington (nominated by J. Berry and J. Heath).

Committee: A. M. Hall. E. Taylor, E. A. Fitzgerald, Chas. E. Wakelyn, F. Ranson. The committee was declared elected on the motion of E. Fitzgerald and Chas. Wakelyn. On the motion of E. Fitzeerald, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded by acclamation to the secretary for the manner in which he had carried out the various duties which fell to the secretary's lot.

E. Taylor brought up the matter of moving to help in some way the young shed hand who had broken his back through falling out of the stone stable rooms, an accident which had left him injured for life. Mr. Taylor thought it was the duty of the shearers to do something.

E. Fitzgerald also spoke to the same effect, and thought the matter should be sent out to the sheds and the facts fully explained to all shearers that the lad was injured for life.

F. Waddell said that something should be done, and that the lists should be sent out to the sheds. The lad had only beon out one season at Clavton shed, Fairlie, and was a financial member. He had a list sent along by the general secretary for W. Rhind, but so far had not done any good with it.

The President explained that in connection with the case of W. Rhind the executive of the Association had been approached, hut could not see their way clear owing to the lack of funds, but had advanced the general secretary £10 on his guarantee of repayment, to meet

urgent needs, and had advised the general secretary to circularise sheds with lists.

E. Taylor moved and W. Laraont seconded: "That subscription lists be issued to all sheds, asking for donations towards the deserving case of J. Morrissey, injured for life through falling out of the stone stable rooms and breaking his back, and who is now in the Timaru Hospital, a cripple for life at 17 years of age."—Carried unanimously. A. J. Ring said it was the duty of all workers to agitate for the immediate release of tho miners. The jailing was undermining the right held for years to picket when tiiey were out on strike. He moved: "That this meeting of the Canterbury branch of the N.Z. Shearers and Pastoral Workers' Association enters its emphatic protest against the jailing of their fellow-workers, and calls upon the Government to immediately release the Waihi miners."—Seconded by E. Fitzgerald, and carried unanimously. A. J. King moved and E. Fitzgerald seconded: "That tho member for Timaru be asked if ho intends to move in any snap© or form to obtain the immediate release of the men imprisoned at Waihi."—Carried unanimously.

Aftor a discussion upon the price of shearing and the difficulty of getting anything like a decent run of sheds, members being of the opinion that the rate of £1 per 1.00 sheep was not a remunerative Tate for blade-shearing, it was agreed to ask that the matter be further discussed in the shearing sheds.

The meeting closed with the usual vote to the chair.

F. WADDELL, Secretary.