TRADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 171, 21 July 1910, Page 5

TRADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Tie conference of the delegates of the Trades and Labour Council was resumeC this morning, Mr. G. R. Whiting (Canterbury) in the chair. Other delegates present were: Messrs. H. L. Horning, J. Savage, W. S. Mo__om, and T. Walsh (Auckland); E. J. Carey, J. Hutchison, W. C. Noot, and P. L. Muir (Wellington) ; D. Sullivan, E. J. Howard, J. Young (Canterbury); J. Reader (South Canterbury) , Hon. J. T. Paul and R. Breen (Otago), T. O'Byrne and J. Alswielcr (Southland). A POLITICAL PLATFORM. The following recommendation from Wellington, "That conference resolve upon the establishment of an Independent Political Labour Party, and draw up a statement of principle and fighting platform of same, and suggest methods for organising the electors in support of Labour candidates at next elections," was referred to the Platform Committee for consideration and a recommendation. The following, from Dunedin, were also referred to the same committee:—"That the conference be requested to recommend the Trades Councils or District Councils to establish Labour Representation Councils in each centre, such councils to consist of representatives of ; all organised labour or progressive bodies; the councils to have a free hand in the framing of their constitution and i fighting platform provided such constitution and platform does not interfere with the general principles of the Federation of Labour." SPREADING THE NEWS. Mr. T. Long (East Coast) moved, and it was agreed, "That the conference considers the advisability of having (foT propaganda work) various leaflets printed on the important planks of conference platform, same to be supplied to all labour unions in the Dominion." CONFUSING THE ISSUES. In moving on behalf of the East Coast "That the Government be urged to fix separate days for the general elections and local option poll," Mr. Long said in Gisborne the question of local option completely foreshadowed the political issue, and interfered with the chanefs of the Labour candidate. The motion was thrown out. CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION ACT. Mr. Howard (Canterbury) moved to amend the Conciliation and Arbitration Act by deleting In Part 1., section 3, "Number of workers who" and inserting "Union, the members of which." At present the Act said that a strike meant the act of any number of workers. They wanted the Act to read, "The term strike means the act of any union of workers." At present a few men might bring about a strike without reference to tbe union at all. Mr. Sullivan, who seconded, said they wanted it called a strike if decided on by the union, but if one or two individuals combined to act, it should be regarded as a breach of the award. Several other amendments hanging on this proposed alteration were also carried. With regard to the clause providing penalties for breach of awards, it was decided to recommend: "Section 24. Delete aU the words after ''no" in the second to last line, and add: "Members of an industrial union of workers shall S not be liable for a larger sum than £5, ! and no member of an industrial association of employers shall be liable for a larger sum than f 25.'" It was resolved to suggest the amendment of section 35, the effect of which would be to enable a Conciliation Council to demand the production of an employers books of profit and "loss in the event of him setting up the defence that his profits would not permit him to make any increase in the wages. Another amendment supported would have the effect of giving an agreement arrived at by parties before a conciliation, the effect of an award of the Court upon the parties signing a' requisition to that effect to the Court. LOCAL BODIES V. LABOUR. Mr. T. Long moved, on behalf of East Coast: "That the Government be urged to make it illegal for public bodies to use their funds to aid employers in com.'bating the benefits conferred on workers by Arbitration Act." The mover and several other delegates complained of local bodies joining forces with Employers' Associations, whose acknowledged function was to fight the workers. All the speakers agreed that this matter was of supreme importance to the unions and demanded a strong comment from the conference. One speaker, to show the trend of opinion, said a motion was before the recent Municipal Conference, having for its object the exclusion of local bodies from the scope of awards. Two of the delegates thought the workers were to blame in not seeing that the right sort of people were elected to local bodies. Mr. Savage considered that the use of 'borough funds to join an Employers' Association, as in a case at Palmerston NortJ, was quite illegal, and should be tested. The motion was carried unanimously, and it was further agreed, at Mr. Longs suggestion, to advise the incoming executive to get a legal opinion on the matter. (Proceeding.) SOCIAL TO DELEGATES. A most successful social was given last night in the Hibernian Hall by the Auckland Trades and Labour Council, as a welcome to the visiting delegates of the Trades and Labour Conference. Mr. J. Savage, the president, was in the chair. The following toasts were honoured during the evening: " Labour," proposed by Mr. T. Long, and responded to by Mr. G. R Whiting; "The Visiting Dt-lcg?.tcs," proposed by Mr. T. Walsh and responded to by Messrs. Carey, Brr-en. Sullivan, O'Byrne and Reader: "Parliament," proposed by Mr. Ingram and responded to by the Hon. J. T. Paul. M.L.C. An admirable musical programme was gone through.