WORK AND SWAGES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 144, 27 September 1910, Page 5

WORK AND SWAGES

SOCIETY OP CARPENTERS AND JOINERS. AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Duniedin, Last Night. Mr. Godfrey Powell, of Wellington, who was selected as the Australasian delegate to attend the sextennial conference of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, which was held in Manchester, England, in July last,- has just returned to New Zealand. In addressing a meeting of the Dunedin branch of the 'Society, Mr. Powell made an announcement which is of importance to a large section of members of the Society in New Zealand. As the outcome of the enactmiemt of the Arbitration Act 3m New Zealand, the ranks of what has. been a conservative society have been opened' to a large number of members of the tradie, thereby creating what was practically a distinct section of unionists who were not recognised by the parent organisation at Home. At the conference just held in Manchester, Mr. Powell reports that, with the assistance of American, Canadian and South African delegates, he was instrumental in having carried a recommendation from the conference to the Council of the Home body that should 1 have a very far-reach-, ing effect as far as New Zealand is concerned. This recommendation is in the direction of eventually, giving to the industrial section of societies in New Zealand above referred to the same benefits that have hitherto been available only to original members of the Society. These'benefits are in regard to sickness, accident, unemployment, loss of tools, etc. This will affect 1500 members of the Society «dn New Zealand. This recommendation lias yet to .be voted upon by the whoOe of the members of the Society throughout tho world, but with tho. assistance gnaraniteed, he is practically assured' that it will be carried. The preference to unionist clause will still be complied! with in the merging of the indrußtril section, the entrance fee to members will still n«t be more than ss, and the contributions will not be more tihan fld per week.