CONFERENCE OF SHEARERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 25 August 1909, Page 10

CONFERENCE OF SHEARERS.

NEW ZEALAND UNION FORMED. CHRISTCHURCH, August 20.

A conference of delegates representing the shearers unions oi the Dominion was held in Christchurch recently. The sitting extended over three days. It was unanimously resolved — " That this meeting of delegates, with the full consent of the several unions, and with the view of consolidating and placing the shearers of the Dominion and Commonwealth on a firm foundation, forms itself into the New Zealand Shearers and Other Pastoral Employees' Industrial Union of Workers." It vras resolved that the headquarters of tiie union be in Christchurch, an amendment in favour of Wellington being lost. At i> later stage it was decided that the headquarters of the association should be decided upon by an absolute majority of votes of the whole of the affiliated unions, the vote to be taken by plebiscite during the shearing season, 1910-11, and thereafter every third year. The proposed constitution and rules of the federation were considered, those of the Australian Workers' Union being taken as a basis, and adopted with necessary amendments to meet the conditions of New Zealand. The secretary (Mr Darcy) was directed to proceed at once to Sydney for the purpose of gaining information from the head office of the Australian' Workers' Union in the methods of administration It was decided to hold the next conference in Wellington. Tho objects of the union are briefly stated in the constitution : — (n) To regulate and protect the conditions of labour, the relations between workmen and employers, and between workmen and workmen ; (b) to impose restrictive conditions an the conduct of the trade, business, or industry of the members ; (c) to promote the general and material welfare of the members, and to improve the relations between employers and workmen ; (d) to gradually replace the present competitive system of industry by the co-operative system; (g) to provide legal assistance in the defence -of members' rights where deemed necessary; (f) to establish and maintain a funeral fund for the burial of deceased members; (g) to endeavour by political action to secure social justice ; (h) to establish and maintain labour journals ; (i) to assist by federation or otherwise kindred organsations in upholding the rights and privileges of workers, and generally to aesist in the emancipation of labour.