MINERS' CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 253, 23 October 1909, Page 5

MINERS' CONFERENCE.

(By Telesrapo.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. At the Miners-* Conference to-day, strong indignation was expressed at the decision of the Arbitration, Court In the recent dispute in which the Blackbail Union was concerned, when a reduction waa made in pillar rates, notwithstanding evidence having been given that miners were only earning 10/8 a day. It was decided, to urge that cla-use 37 of the Coalminers' Act, relating to the weighing of coa.l, be deleted.

The following motion was unajiimouslv earned: "'Than Dhe Conference urges upon the Government the necessity of adding a clause to the Immigration Act u> prevent employers from engaging labour outside the Dominion, unless such employers can prove that they cannot engage in that class of labour locally." Motions were also passed: "That mineowners be compelled to metal fans for ventilation purposes; that the CoaJ Mines Act be amended to provide that, in all mines cuts through be driven hoc more than 25 yards apart, to secure the well-being and safety of miners and mines." The Conference affirmed unconditional preference to unionists. WELLINGTON, this day. The conference discussed at considerable length a proposal that a scheme be formulated to provide .open resistance to any attempt to victimise men taking an active part in pushing the welfare of the union- The following motion was passed on the subject: "That when the executive of any union considers that there has been victimisation, and no satisfactory reason given by the employer, such executive shall have the right to sue in the Magistrate's Court, and if it is proved to the satisfaction of the magistrate that such victimisation exists the employer shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £50.