SPLIT IN LABOUR CAMPS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13522, 2 November 1911, Page 5

SPLIT IN LABOUR CAMPS.

WATERSIDE WORKERS AND THE N.Z. FEDERATION. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 1. Mr G. G. Farland, assistant secretary of the Waterside Workers' Union, which has decided to ioii the New Zealand Federation of Labour, says that the workers recognised that the Arbitration Court was no longer of any value to them. They had no confidence in it. He predicted that the wavering Unions would now join the Federation. i Mr T. Smith, Secretary of the Union, said the majority in favour of the Federation were the discontented who did not get much of the'work offering. Ho and every member of the executive except Mr Farland opposed joining tie federation. The president, secretary, and treasurer intend resigning ottice. RIVAL CONTROLINC BODIES. WELLINGTON. November 1. The decision of the Wellington Waterside Workers to join the New Zealand -Federation of Labour will bring about the resignation of the executive, apparently its members being all against the change except Mr Farland, assistant secretary. Mr T. Smith, secretary of the Union, stated to-day: “I issued a warning to members. I pointed out that the Federation s capitation fee was 4s per member per annum, as against Id for the Trades and Labour Council, Id for the London Transport Workers’ Federation, and 3d for the Australian Transport Workers’ Federation. I pointed out that the fees of the Union would have to he raised to meet the demand of the Federation. I warned members that they should not be trapped into joining the Federation, which is only another name for the Socialist party. The fact is there are numbers of men who are not known to employers, yet •they cannot all get work. Naturally a boss will take men he knows. These men sit around in the waiting-room, and they are naturally discontented and ready to listen to statements made by the Federation’s advocates that they are entitled to employment, and it is these men who have made a majority for joining the Federation. In view of what has been done (against the wishes of every member of the executive except Mr Farland), we will notify the Union on Tuesday that wo are not prepared to retain office in opposition to the avowed policy of the Union. In short, we become the opposition. The officers resigning will be Messrs F. Curtice (president), T. King (treasurer), and myself (secretary).” The decision to-join the Federation was carried by 430 to 276 votes. UNION’S DECISION JUSTIFIED. WELLINGTON, November 2. In a circular issued by Mr Farland, assistant secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Union, the writer justifies the decision of the majority to join the Federation of Labour. He states that strife is not desired, but the Union would stop at nothing to better the conditions of the ill-paid waterside workers-