TRADES and LABOUR COUNCIL

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 111, 12 May 1902, Page 6

TRADES and LABOUR COUNCIL

The usual meeting of the above Council .was held in St. Matthew's Schoolroom on. Wednesday evening, Mr H. L.' Horning presiding. Mr S. Lister, of Kensington, wrote, asking if the Council would subscribe to a pamphlet published by him in answer to the attack made by the xlon. J. McGregor, of Dunedin, on the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. It was resolved to procure 250 copies. The Wellington Trade add Labour JouiH.il wrote enclosing a return^ of the amount of sugar imported to New Zealand, value, and country where grown. The Karangahake branch of the Thames Miners' Union wrote asking for a copy of the rules', which was ordered to be forwarded when .received from the printer. The secretary of the Coachbuiiders' Union in Christchurch wrote thanking the Council for the efforts made by the Council, in conjunction with their delegates, in endeavouring to form a Union in the trade in Auckland, and regretting the failure of such efforts, more especially as Auckland is the only place of importance in the colony where the trade is not organised. The town clerk wrote that the City Council would receive a deputation from the Trades. Council at its next meeting re Union rate of wage being provided in all specifications of the City Council contracts. Mr R. St. Clair addressed the Council on the advantages of the metric system. The address was listened to very attentively, and at the conclusion Mr St. Clair answered a number of questions. The following resolution was carried unanimously: "That the Hon. the Acting-Premier be written to asking that a Bill be introduced early during the forthcoming session to provide for the abrogation of our present weights and measures, and the adoption in their stead of the metric system." A hearty vote of thanks to Mr St. Clair for his very able and interesting address was cai-ried by acclamation,

The committee appointed to enquire about a suitable building for a trades' hall reported the terms upon which a suitable building, situated in Queen-street, could be obtained. Resolved to write to all the affiliated Unions asking what support they would give the Council in this matter.

The secretary was. instructed to write to the manager of the Electric Tram Comp'anv. asking if it is the intention of the company to run workmen's trams enrly in the mornings, pointing out that the majority of workers in mills and factories of the city .commence work at 7.30 a.m.. and are thus compelled to reside in the city, as the present train nnd tram service does not permit them to arrive in town to commence work at that time. A number <">f ouestions relating- to the various Unions were also discussed.