WATERSIDE WORKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1921, Page 6

WATERSIDE WORKERS.

DOMINION FEDERATION. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. OPENED AT NEW PLYMOUTH. The annual conference of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Federation, which is being held this year at New Plymouth, was opened yesterday morning, when the members assembled at the Workers’ Social Hall.

The following is the list of delegates attending the conference: —Representing Federation. Messrs. L. Glover (president) and las. Roberts (secretary); Auckland. Messrs. O. Mc’Brine, A. A. Agnew and W. Soares; Gisborne, Messrs. H? McErlain and G. Thomas; Napier, Mr. F. P. Williams; Tokomaru Bay, Mr. T. R. Porter; Wanganui, Mr. J. Gilbert; New Plymouth, Mr. T. J. Hill; Wellington. Messrs. J. G. Bruce, T. Brindle. J. \V. Trim and R. Gould; Lyttelton, Mr. J. Flood. W. E. Agar and P. C. Shirley ; Timaru, Mr. W. Craig; Port Chalmers, Messrs. N. Campbell and A. Campbell; Dunedin, Mr. J. Burton; Bluff, Mr. J. Cameron, Greymouth, Mr. C. Fraser; Picton. Mr. J. Bunt. In extending a hearty welcome to delegates on behalf of the people of New Plymouth and district, the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) said he did so not only because they were the representative of a large body of fellow countrymen, but also because he took it that the choice of New Plymouth as the place for the annual conference was a distinct recognition of the growing importance of the port here. This was a pleasing fact to the residents, because for a long time they had recognised the value of the harbor in regard to the growth of the district. Mr. Wilson expressed the hope that delegates would find time to ascertain for themselves the manner in which the town was growing, and how largely the trade of the port was interwoven with I its interests. They wanted the delegates 1 to go away as walking advertisements for the town. In passing he desired to i congratulate the conference on meering in a hall which was the property of the workers of New Plymouth. He could speak with some knowledge on this question because he bad acted for the workers in the acquisition of the hall, and thev knew a good proposition when they saw it. The hall was largely used in New Plymouth, ant it must be a happy omen 'to the committee to note that not only was the hall a place for social gatherings, but also a centre fdr the conference of workers.. Proceeding, Wilson said he understood the agenda paper was a lengthy one, and he did not desire to offer any comment, except to express the hope that in the deliberations the conference not only would look after the welfare of the people whom they immediately represented. but also would bear in mind the interests of those who were interdependent and closely associated with their calling. They were only part of jone big body, and the interests of one were the interests of the whole. In concluding. Mr. Wilson expressed the hope that the delegates wouk" have a pleasant ' stay in New Plymouth. Speaking for the New Plymouth Waterside Workers’ Union, the president (Mr. n. Robinson) endorsed the welcome extended to delegates. He hoped that through the meeting of representatives of the federation good would come, and that other views would be properly represented to the public, showing that they were not a federation which asked everything for one class but a body which aimed at keeping the standard of humanity as it should be. Before concluding. Mr. Robinson extended a hearty welcome to delegates to attend a smoke concert which is being arranged by the local union for the entertainment of the visitors, and is to take place on Saturday night. Replying on behalf of the conference, the president (Mr. L. Glover) remarked that, though quite a number of the delegates had never been to New Plymouth before, they had one member who came to New Plymouth 58 years ago. He had landed in a surf boat, and went away back into the country to carve out a home for himself; unfortunately, however, he had worked for somebody else. -The people of New Plymouth look forward to the day when it is going to be the capital city of New Zealand.” said Mr. Glover, continuing, ‘‘and why not strive for it?” He remarked that the district had great mineral resources in ironsand. and it was said oil was also obtainable. He hoped that if ironsand was ever made a payable proposition it would be retained by the people of New Zealand, and not allowed to get into the hands of the capitalists of other countries, or they would surely have industrial strife. He predicted trouble in this event, for the reason that if the tyrants who controlled many of the industries to-day were going, to develop the ironsand of Taranaki the chances were that it would be without regard to the welfare of the workers. If the industry was retained by the people of Taranaki there would be a bet a r cilance of looking after the interests of tie whole of the people. Mr. Glover expressed the hope that delegates would enjoy their stay in New Plymouth, and remarked that the conference was held in the town as the result of the request from the local 'inion. It was because the representatives of the I federation realised the importance of the ! port that they thought it was advisable to hold the conference m the town. He thanked the Mayor for his remarks, and said this was the third occasion on which conferences had been opened by the Mayor of a town, the other two instances being at Napier and at Tim-

aru. . , . . The conference then proceeded to business. By a resolution of the dele gates it was decided that the Press be not admitted, and a Press committee was set up to supply reports of the proceed ings. The business during the morning I was mainly comprised of setting up committees' and arranging preliminaries lin regard td the business to be dealt with.