ADVANCING UNIONISM

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19888, 18 May 1936, Page 9

ADVANCING UNIONISM

HAMILTON WORKERS.

I TTIAL STEPS TAKEN. ORGANISERS FROM AUCKLAND. The first steps to advance industrial unionism In the Hamilton district were taken in the Toorak Hall yesterday afternoon when 130 employees gave an enthusiastic reception to union representatives from Auckland. Mr C. A. Barrell, M.P., presided, while the speakers were Mr H. Campbell, secretary of the Painters’ Union. Mr J. Purtell, secretary of the Plasterers’, Caretakers’ and Cleaners’, Brickmakers’, Liftmen and Milkmen’s Unions, Mr A. Gregg, secretary of the Carpenters’ Union, and Mr G. Davis, secretary of the Drivers’ Union.

Mr Barrell said that the sole purpose of the meeting was to get the unions in every branch of industry together. Never in the political history of the Dominion had the workingmen the same opportunity of organising, and it was his 'hope that every man would support hts union and that he would pull his weight when its formation was accomplished, settling their difficulties Inside rather than outside the organisations. The Government was sympathetic towards all classes of workers who, to help themselves, had to help the party in power. Mr Campbell said that the Government had given all the working people the opportunity of joining a union. Many had had the advantage of awards and unionism but they had not paid for it. Now, there was no loophole. The Government had tightened up the law and the wage-earners were practically in the same position as those who paid Income tax. The workers in Hamilton were being asked to take .a share in their unions’ activities and every individual should play his or her part in improving conditions of work. It would be compulsory for all employees to become union members and Mr Campbell stressed the , necessity of enrolling members in each district In order that branches could be formed. The Government wanted the co-operation of the people and 1 without it the Labour Party could not stay in power. Neglect By Workers. The neglect by many workers in union affairs was a point advanced by Mr Purtell, who said he had found instances in the Waikato where men were working at rates 30s below the requisite amount. He was astonished at the apathy of employees in regard to union fees which in New Zealand were, the lowest in the world. If administration of trade unionism was wanted it had to he paid for. He pointed out that, with certain qualifications, it was correct to say that the strength of industrial unionism moulded the people’® standards of living. Unemployment had undermined the morale of the workers In the past few years, with the result that unionism had become hopelessly weak, but conditions were now improved, and in one week he had enrolled 450 workers in one Auckland union.

“ If we keep the Labour Party in power we are all right, but if they go out we are going to be kicked by vested interests,” he added. “ The legislation before the House Is the most forward in the world. By thoroughly organising industrial unionism in affiliation with the Labour Party we can keep the Government in power. Our ultimate aim should be towards national unionism and Dominion awards. Danger of Weak Unions. Mr Gregg stressed the dangers of forming small and weak unions, but pointed out that central organisations often showed a tendency to become bureaucratic. It had been found that the part-time union secretary was too subject to victimisation, and the organisation of larger and stronger unions was more desirable. The Government had, by framing legislative awards, given the workers a lead.jbut without the people’s co-operation it might prove valueless and the Acts would be effective only in so far as they were enforced by the workers themselves. A highly-organised industrial union must be built up over the next three years to let the Government know 'Of the workers’ true requirements.

‘ I want you to make up your minds that the Labour Party is never going out of power,” stated Mr Davis". " They are faced with any amount of opposition and we want to get our organisations into trim to combat it. They are working for the employees’ benefit and should be given every assistance.” Capitation Question. Mr Davis referred to the question of capitation and said that it was not generally known that the expenses of a uninn headquarters amounted to £2O or £3O a week. The organisations would be what their members made them, the whole position hinging upon the attitude of the individual. The entire industrial machine should cooperate with the political organisation. Mr J. Sutherland, secretary of the Labourers’ Union, said that an award was being prepared to restore the 10 per cent reductions to general labourers. On. the motion of Mr F. Collins, a resolution was unanimously carried instructing the Auckland unions to organise the Hamilton district and bring forward awards consistent with the policy of the Government a sufficient wage to maintain a man, his wife and three children at a decent standard, taking wet time into consideration.