The Threshing Mill Dispute.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 278, 4 November 1902, Page 3

The Threshing Mill Dispute.

A public meeting was hold on Saturday last in the Oddfellows’ Hall for the purpose of forming a branch of the South Canterbury Engine-drivers and Firemen’s Union. A prominent threshing mill engine-driver was in the chair, and he called on Mr Joseph Mahoney, secretary to the Enginedrivers and Feeders’ Union, of Timaru, to address the meeting. Mr Mahoney said the union was registered under the Act of 1900. He explained the objects of the union at length. His union objected to the Waimate Workers’ Union having anything to do with mill feeders, as they came under the protection of his union, and it was the intention of his union to ask for an award at the same time as the dispute with the millowners came before the Arbitration Court. He refuted Mr Mitchell’s statements at the millowners’ conference in Timaru re the registration of labour unions. Mr Mitchell showed by his utterances that he had a lot to learn about labour organisations, and he should endeavour to learn the facts before making such statements. After going fully into the need of their union, Mr Mahoney concluded with an appeal to drivers and feeders present to join the union. The appeal was responded to by all those present not members of the Workers’ Union joining the Drivers and Feeders’ Union. In moving a vote of thanks to Mr Mahoney, Mr Boreham said his union would gladly work in harmony with the Drivers and Feeders’ Union. He did not think there would be any great difficulty in coming to an arrangement about the feeders. His union would agree so long as it was clear that the feeders would be protected in common with other mill hands. The motion was carried, and a similar compliment to the chairman closed the proceedings. Mr Mahoney proceeds to Ashburton to form a branch there.