LABOURERS’ UNION

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20726, 9 February 1939, Page 10

LABOURERS’ UNION

REPLY BY SECRETARY COMMENT ON HAMILTON MEETING (By Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Thursday When the decision at the Hamilton meeting of general labourers, expressing no confidence in Mr T. Stanley, secretary of the Auckland General Labourers’ Union, was referred to Mr Stanley, he said he knew the meeting was being held, tout the Auckland union ignored it because the individuals who called it were not members of the union. “We are carrying out the instructions of the New Zealand Federation of Labour in dealing with the Hamilton situation." added Mr Stanley. “The position is that Hamilton's application for the registration of a separate union, which has been on the cards for two years, has been turned down by the Registrar of Unions.” “THE NOISY INDIVIDUALS” UNION ORGANISER’S COMMENT ATTITUDE OF FEDERATION Commenting on the Hamilton meeting of labourers, Mr Chas. Greeves, South Auckland organiser of the Auckland District Labourers’ Union, made the following reply to the report supplied from the meeting:— (1) (Only about 15 men were present at this “largely-attended mass meet(2) Few, if any, of those 15 men are financial members of this union, yet they desire to control and dictate the policy of the union. (3) The great majority of the 250 genuine financial members of the Auckland District Labourers’ Union in and around Hamilton are satisfied with the present conduct and control of their union, as is evidenced by the fact that they simply ignored this meeting and its conveners. (4) Registration of a separate South Auckland Labourers’ Union was, after full investigation, etc., definitely refused by the Registrar of Unions in October, 1938. (5) The attitude, policy, etc., of this union has been endorsed and supported by the New Zealand Federation of Labour and by the Waikato, Waihi, Whangarei and Auckland Trades Councils. (6) The secretary, Mr T. Stanley, possesses the confidence of the majority of the members of this union throughout the Northern industrial district. Votes of confidence in him were recently passed at. meetings of the district executive of the union (in December) and by various branches. Finally, the officials of this union are carrying out their duty of safeguarding, assisting and furthering the interests of all members to the best of their ability, but refuse to waste their time and energy in endless and useless controversy with a few noisy, irrespons,ible individuals.