TRADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 46, 23 February 1901, Page 2

TRADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

(By Telegrayn.— Press Association.)

GEEYMOUTH, this day

The Trades and Labour Council Conference has closed its sittings. It was decided to take measures to present a petition to Parliament next session to have the Eight Hours Bill passed, in accordance with thje pro. Uihiti of the Government.

it was resolved that the Government be urged to still further reduce duties on the necessaries oi life and correspondingly increase the land tax. Strong exception was taken to clause 99 of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, Buch clause coining into conflict with clause lJt> of the same Act. Under clause IJ9 great hardship is inflicted on unions in scattered districts, inasmuch us it is almost impossible to bring in matters in dispute for consideration, owing to the necessity for an absolute majority of all the members of the unions being required to vote.

it was resolved, respecting the railway haulage of coal, to call upon the Government to reduce the .haulage trains to one common rate for the district, irrespective of distance.

In respect to the .Mining Act, it was resolved to urge the Government thut clause 09 of the CctaJ Alines Act should be inserted in the Mining Act, to provide for the relief of miners and their families in case of sickness or accident by means of a small royaltj' on every ounce of gold.

Regarding the ventilation of mines the Council condemned the use of furnaces for ventilation, and urged the substitution of fires for ventilation purposes. it was resolved k» urge the Government to reduce the pension age for miners to sixty years, provided such miners have been working underground for not less than ten years, and also to make the pension universal.

It was resolved to urge the Government to pass the Referendum Bill with the initiative, in the hand* of the,' people. The Council expressed its satisfaction with the Government for passing the Workers' Compensation for Accident Bill, and expressed a hope that' it would shortly be brought ipt<j, force-

The Conference urged that the prp* visions of the Lands Assessment Act should be extended so as to procure more land for workmen's homes }n the vicinity of large centres.