The 1894 Annual Meeting of the Longreach A.W.U. Branch.

*THE WORKER*

Brisbane, January 12, 1895.

Longreach Branch, A.W.U.

Minutes of Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting of the Longreach Branch A.W.U. was held in the Union office from December 17^th to 22^nd 1894. The secretary having read the notice convening the meeting, Mr. A. J. Brown was appointed chairman, and Mr. R. D. Shillington vice-chairman. Mr. E. C. Evans was appointed assistant secretary. Resolved that all financial members be admitted to the meeting. Resolved that the hours of meeting be from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. The secretary's report and balance sheet for 1894 was read and adopted. The Hospital, Political, and Prisoners' Defence Fund balance sheets, with auditors' reports, were then read and adopted. Correspondence re special conference was then read, after which the vice-chairman took the chair. Resolved that this meeting desires to express its approval of the action taken by the committee of this Branch of the A.W.U. In consulting members re calling on strike. Resolved that the minutes of the committee meeting which called off the strike be read.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17.

Resolved that the minutes of all committee meetings from June 30 to the call of the strike, be read. A lengthy discussion took place on the question of intercolonial amalgamation. Resolved that the immediate amalgamation of the A.W.U. of Queensland and the A.W.U. Of the southern colonies is necessary, and that steps be at once taken to effect this. Resolved that only one representative attend the Albury conference to represent the three branches of the A.W.U. Resolved that the secretary be instructed to wire the above motion to Charleville and Hughenden branch meetings. Resolved that a delegate be sent from this branch to the annual conference of the A.W.U. Resolved that all printing in connection with this branch be done at the WORKER office, when practicable, and that the other two branches are requested to do the same. A telegram was read from Mr. Glassey, M.L.A., conveying greetings to the meeting, and thanking the bush workers for the support accorded to him during his late illness. The WORKER balance-sheet was then taken seriatim and adopted. Resolved that this meeting is highly satisfied with the manner in which the WORKER has been conducted in our interests during the past year. Resolved that the editor be asked to reinsert the sporting column in the WORKER.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19.

Resolved that in the opinion of the meeting it is deemed advisable, in the interest of the workers, industrially and politically, that the WORKER newspaper be enlarged at an early date; and as a means of carrying out the necessary work, we appeal to all bush workers and the public generally to give voluntary subscriptions during the coming year to assist in making the paper the most attractive of all the weeklies in Australasia. The secretary was instructed to send a copy of the foregoing resolution to Hughenden and Charleville. Resolved that after the full and satisfactory explanation given by the committee, setting forth their reasons for calling off the late strike, this meeting expresses its fullest approval of the action taken by the committee. Resolved that this meeting expresses its approval of the manner in which the Christmas number of the WORKER has been got up, and considers it the best Christmas paper published in Queensland. The A.L.F. Balance-sheet was then taken seriatim and adopted. Some general correspondence on minor matters was then read. After discussion on a letter received from W.G. Spence, the following resolution was carried :-

Resolved that all members who seceded from the union during the late strike be readmitted on payment of the usual fees. Resolved that in future the committee are requested to observe rule 21 of the constitution when declaring a strike on or off. Resolved that all financial members of the A.W.U. Be admitted to all ordinary business meetings of the committee.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20.

A letter was read from Maneroo re abolishing all committee meetings of this branch of the A.W.U. The matter lapsed, as no one would take it up. Resolved that an appeal be issued to members and sympathisers generally during 1895 for voluntary contributions, same to form a fighting fund for strike purposes only. Resolved that a ticket balance-sheet be added to branch sheets on and after 1895. A motion dealing with the question of cooks' rations was then tabled, but, after a long discussion, was withdrawn. Resolved that this meeting request all members of the A.W.U. to abide by the vote of the majority on all questions, cooks' rations included. Resolved that a plebiscite be taken during 1895 at all sheds, and return sent to the office in time for the next annual meeting, re cooks and their rations. The question of commission to Blackall was passed out. The result of ballot on constitution was then declared :- For the constitution, 139; against the constitution, 28; informal, 4; total, 171. majority in favour of constitution, 111. The result of the ballot re organisers was then declared: For one organiser, 132; for two organisers, 58; total in favour of organisers, 190; against organisers, 167: Majority for organiser, 21; informal, 2. Mr. W. Kewley, being the only nominee for the position of secretary, was then elected secretary for the ensuing year at a salary of £1 per week, there being only two dissentients.

FRIDAY, DECMBER 21.

Resolved that Mr. Kewley's statement that he is not a Freemason be printed in the minutes. Resolved that all members of the A.W.U. be allowed to write for stands, but are requested not to monopolise more than they have the intention of filling, as it is an injury to all members cut of employment. Resolved that the minutes of branch meetings be printed separately from the conference minutes and constitution, and that the constitution pamphlet be headed: “Constitution for 1896, as amended by A.W.U. Conference held at Charleville,” Note. – To prevent members taking the constitution of 1896 for 1895. Resolved that the sustentation payment to the WORKER for 1895 be 3s. per member on 1894 membership basis, but the annual conference be empowered, if necessary, to raise sustentation dues. Resolved that sustentation payment to A.L.F. be fixed at 1s. per member, but that the annual conference may raise the sustentation fee if necessary. Resolved that a vote of thanks be passed to Mr. Hinchcliffe for his management of the WORKER. Resolved that this meeting desires to express its high appreciation of the Parliamentary column. Resolved that any member making a charge against any delegate or officer of the union shall do so in writing. Mr. L. M'Namara tendered his resignation as honorary delegate, but at the request of the meeting withdrew it. Mr. J. F. Preston tendered his resignation as honorary delegate, which was accepted.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: John Payne and Henry Eckel, trustees Jas. Thurecht, treasurer; W. Stephenson and W.R. Holmes, auditors. Resolved that the treasurer be entitled to vote at all committee meetings. Resolved that the price of honorary members' tickets shall be £1, ticket to be endorsed “Honorary.” Resolved that a sub-committee be appointed to revise minutes of annual meeting for printing. The following members were elected; R. D. Shillington, G. Hunt. Nominations were received for branch conference delegates. Nominees; Hunt, Evans, White, Brown, Langston, and Shillington. A ballot was taken, and while the scrutineers were counting after some discussion it was resolved that the delegate to conference be allowed 10s. per day and 5s. per day expenses, with train and steamer fare by second class. Result of ballot: P. W. Langston, 22; A. J. Brown, 12; R. D. Shillington, 9; G. Hunt, 8; G. White, 4; E. C. Evans, 3; informal, 1; total votes polled, 59. The chairman declared Mr. P.W. Langston duly elected.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22.

Mr. Doolan obtained the permission of the meeting to adduce some evidence relating to the charges made against him at last annual meeting, and after handing in a letter and making some remarks on his case, withdrew it. The vice-chairman now took the chair. A vote of confidence in the Labour party in Parliament for the manner in which they carried on the business last session was passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned until 2 p.m., owing to small attendance.

2 P.M.

Resolved that in no case shall a special conference be allowed to override the constitution. Resolved that no loyalty tickets for 1894 be issued except by special request. This question to be referred to the annual conference. Resolved that all the victims of the late strike be kept financial on the books during the period of their incarceration. Resolved that the prisoners' horses be paddocked with Mr. Jas. M'Ainsh at a charge of 1s. per week per head. Resolved that the prisoners' horses and effects be disposed of on the art union principle. Resolved that honorary delegates receive no commission on sale of tickets, but that agents receive 5 per cent. Resolved that a committee of not less than seven be appointed to draft instructions for delegate attending annual conference. The following committee was appointed :- Shillington, Evans, Hunt, White, Shankland, Douglas, and M'Innerney. Resolved that sixpence per member be placed to the credit of the A.W.U. Political Fund. The secretary was instructed to call for nominations for the position of organiser for the Longreach Branch of the A.W.U. The secretary read a wire received from F. T. Brennan, secretary Charleville Branch, and also J. Meehan's report; and after a long discussion, it was resolved that Mr. J. Meehan represent the three branches of the A.W.U. at the Albury convention. 

Mr. Mat. Reid, M.L.A., was specially requested to attend the Albury convention, and act in conjunction with J. Heehan, for the benefit of the A.W.U. The secretary was instructed to wire the above resolution to Hughenden and Charleville branches. Resolved that a special trust fund be opened for prisoners now in gaol in connection with the late strike. The secretary was instructed to get double butted receipt books printed for this fund. Resolved that only the total amount of money sent to the secretary by collectors be published in the WORKER. (Note. - This was passed in order to save space in the WORKER.) Resolved that the chairman of all sheds or camps notify the secretary of the amount of money collected for hospitals. (Note. - This as a suggestion to the members of the A.W.U.) A vote of sympathy with the union prisoners now in gaol, “whom this meeting consider to have been unjustly imprisoned by a prejudiced judge and a packed jury,” was passed unanimously. A vote of thanks was then passed to Mr. A. J. Brown for the able manner in which he,as chairman, conducted the business of the meeting; also to the vice-chairman, secretary, and assistant secretary. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. M. Reid, M.L.A. for his attendance at our annual meeting was carried by acclamation. Mr. Reid, in a few well chosen words, thanked the meeting, and stated that he was always at the call of unionism. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. C. B. Fitzgerald for his kindness in attending all union cases free of charge was carried unanimously. The minutes being read and confirmed the chairman declared the meeting closed, and with ringing cheers for union prisoners and unionism the meeting dispersed.