SHEARERS’ AND LABORERS’ UNION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2082, 7 August 1890, Page 2

SHEARERS’ AND LABORERS’ UNION.

A meeting of persons interested in the establishment of a Shearers’ and Laborers’ Union in Temuka was held last Monday evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall. The hall was crowded to excess, and the greatest enthusiasm was manifested in the movement. The delegates were Mr Lundon, president of the Shearers’ and Laborers’ Union, Waimate, and Mr Downes, secretary of the Shearers’ and Laborers’ Union, Timaru. At 8 p.m. the chair was taken by Mr A. Bussell, who expressed great pleasure at the large attendance, as it showed that Temuka, like other places, was determined not to be behindhand in the labor movement. He believed that trade unionism was necessary for the good of all, and it was often a matter of surprise to him that people never realised the power they possessed. There was no doubt that the people possessed great power, and it was by means of combination they would be able to wield it intelligently. He hoped they would qeyer wield it against capital, but would always remain within bounds and not go to an extortionate extent. (Hear, hear.) It was the business of the chairman to keep order, and lie had no doubt it would be easy for him to do so. He had little to do with trades-unionism, but on one occasion he, with another, organised a strike, with the result that instead of allowing wages to be cut down by one shilling a day they were raised by one shining, apcf. that done good ever since. ( hpplaqse.) Efe h°W call on Mr Lundon, president of the Amalgamated Society of the Shearers’ and Laborers Union of ‘W’aimate to address the meeting. Mr Lundon, on coming forward, was received with applause. He said he had be©h deputed by the Waimate branch to come tp Temuka and establish a branch of their iipiop. The ijinjon to which bp helopgpd was an offshoot of the Australian Shearers’ Union, Some of them no doubt would rememDer that an attpmpt was made some four years ago io establish the union in this colony, but the executive found the balance on the

wrong side of the ledger. They found they had lost £370 by trying to establish the society in this colony, and consequently wrote asking the New Zealanders to carry on. An' attempt was made in Oamaru to re-form it, but it was a failure, and be (Mr Lundon) made an effort to carry it on in Waimate, but he only got 12 members. In last November he called another meeting, with the intention of returning their money to these 12 members and wind up the society; but a large number attended, and they decided to carry on under the wider scope, so as to embrace all classes of labor, and they got 279 members at once. Since then the president and secretary of the Canteri bury Trades and Labor Council had visited them, and great good resulted, and now between Waimate, Oamaru, and Timaru they had 1100 members. This was good, but it was nothing to what they expected. The Australian shearers’ Union four years ago met with great difficulties. Their organisation, with those with which ifc was affiliated, was the greatest in the world, and was destined to work wonders. The position of the working classes in England was a disgrace, ihe cause was plainly that the management of affairs was in the hands of a favored few. The same state ©f things prevailed in New Zealand. The Government were practically the nominees of a bank, and its supporters would come amongst them in a few days and call themselves the friends of the working classes. They had been told that when produce fetched a good price things would mend. They had seen fair prices and things were as bad as ever. The laboring classes now possessed a mighty power, and it was time that they put their shoulders to the wheel and saw that the Government consisted of representatives of labor side by side with those of capital. They should remember the power they possess through their organisations, but not abuse it. They must protect their industries, but not abuse their power, for they could not do without employers. In he urged them not to delay. Any help they wanted in advice or otherwise would be given, and they would receive the sympathy of the already established unions. He begged, therefore, to move—** That a branch of the Amalgamated Shearers’ and Laborers’ Union be started in Temuka.” Before the resolution was put he hoped that anyone who had anything to say would speak at,once. Mr Daly said Mr Lundon had spoken very well, hut the speaker’s opinion was that the vote should not be put until the other side had had a chance of speaking. The chairman said that he was of opinion that it was hardly the time to go into a discusion on the question. An opportunity of arguing the matter would be given if necessary. Mr Wakoly seconded the proposition, which was then carried unanimously. Mr Lundon thanked them for the resolution they had arrived at, and intimated that the next business would he the election of officers. The names of those desirous of joining the union were then taken down, and in all about 80 persons were enrolled.

Mr Vincent, chairman of the Oamartx Lumpers’ Association, said that he must apologise for speaking, being a stranger, but he recommended that they should take a little time in the appointment of officers. It was essential that they should elect good men, with not only the cause of the society at heart, but with good ad* mmiatratiye ability, and above all ' trustworthy. After a few explanations with regard to the future conduct of business, the election of officers was proceeded with in the following order Secretary, Mr W. L. Duncan; treasurer, Mr Wakely; chairman of committee, Mr A. Russell; vicechairman, Mr W. McCann; committee, Messrs E. King, G. Edgeler, H, Smallridge, H. Colville, GK Ellis, C. McAuliffe, A. Brown, J. O’Grady, T. Egan, O’Neill, J. Hooper, J, Mclnnes, M. Scanned, H. Kahu, E. S. Smith, W. Laraman, and A, Hope. A vote of thanks was then passed to Mr G. Edgeler for being the primary means of the establishment of the branch, and similar compliments having been passed to the delegates and the chairman the meeting terminated.

The committee subsequently met, and arranged for further operations.