LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 3, 9 February 1914, Page 7

LABOUR CONFERENCE.

CONFLICT WITH MINISTERS. By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. SYDNEY, February 7. At the Labour Conference, a letter was read from Mr Griffith in reply to the urgent telegram demanding his l attendance. He said.he was-unable to be present and he had no knowledge of any charge against him. He .assumed the trouble had arisen owing to the fact that he had not authorised an alteration in the rate of* wages pending an appeal lodged against the recent Federal award. He defended his attitude as in accordance with practice where appeals were sub judice. After discussing the question and censuring Mr Griffith, the Conference appointed a committee to enquire into the matter.

Mr Carmichael informed the Conference he had cabled to Mr Holman regarding his alleged "escape pipe" statement. He read Mr Holman's reply, to the effect that the report of his statement was very much condensed and that he did not say the Conference was useful as an escape pipe only, but,' on the contrary, emphasised the many valuable decisions already reached and the good sense and feeling shown. He further quoted the New Zealand Press as reporting him to have referred to the Conference as animated throughout with a full* recognition of the necessity of strengthening the movement in order to clear the way for effective legislation. The conference adopted the explanation unanimously.

FURTHER RESOLUTIONS. (Beeeived February 9, 8.55 a.m.) . SYDNEY, February 8. The Labour Conference had a new experience, as in the absence of the president, Mrs Dwyer presided over a setting. Eesolutions were carried in favour of a State sewing-machine factory; a Government subsidy in connection with the scheme for the higher education, of the workers j that the copyright of all books and manuscripts published in the Commonwealth be reserved to the author without registration; that the marriage or cohabitation of whites with coloured aliens be prohibited. It was also decided to send a resolution in favour of prohibiting the manufacture and importation for sale of cigarettes throughout the Commonwealth; also a resolution that at next election a plebescite be taken on the question of the abolition of the importation or manufacture for distribution of alcoholic beverages, to the annual conference of the Australian Labour League.