TRADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 172, 22 July 1910, Page 2

TRADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

LABOUR'S WANTS. The Conference of Trades and Labour delegates was continued at the Municipal Buildings yesterday afternoon, Mr. G. R. Whiting in the chair. CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION ACT. On the motion of the Wellington] delegates, the following suggested amendments of the Conciliation and Arbitration. .Act were approved:— (a) That the Act be amended so as to provide for compulsory preference to unionists, and *:hat conference be instructed to draw np the lines on which this preference should be granted; (b) that the Act be amended so as to allow of tbe Federation of Unions being able to obtain an award to cover the ■whole of the industry in the Dominion; (c) that the anomaly now existing that the respondent in any dispute be not aßowed to file a counter dispute after it has been referred to the .Arbitration Court by the Commissioner be removed.; (d) thai "section 71, clause 1, be repealed; (c) that section 72 be repealed; (f) the Act be amended to provide that the Court shah visit the chief centres at intervals of at least two months, and that all breaches of award be heard by the Court: lg) so as to provide that Court shall not bave power to make an award in conflict with statute law; <h) to provide for a more eliicient system of keeping compulsory time and wages books in .-ill industries governed by an award; (1) that it be made compulsory that all partnership agreements shall be made in writing and shall be registeredOn the motion of Mr. Carey, it was agreed that the Act should be amended, so as to provide a basis for the Court, in framing its awards, regarding the provision of a living wage, hours, etc He said at present half the dissatisfaction waes due to the fact that the matter of framing awards was left to the personal idiosyncrasies of one person. At the suggestion of Mr. Long, it was resolved that the Act be amended to prohibit the Court from interfering with agreements entered into by mein3 of conciliation. Mr. Young moved, and it was agreed, to ask for the amendment prohibiting the employer from letting his labour by contract. WEEKLY DAY OP REST. The Conference re-affirmed the principle of a weekly day of rest, on the suggestion of the Wellington CounciL LABOUR AND POLITICS. In view of the Solicitor-GeneraTs.'deci-sion that no Labour Union can register its rules under tbe Arbitration Act if such rules contain any reference to political action the Conference decided, on tbe motion of Mr. Reader (South Canterbury), that the Government be askod to introduce legislation in the coming session to remove this unfair and unjust restriction on Labour bodies. PROPAGANDA. Mr. Long, on behalf of East Coast, moved: — "That the Oonfereince considers some scheme to provide for and induce workers to receive- sound, economic teaching, together with a knowledge of industrial history and sociology, and that afiiliated bodies be strongly urged to their duty of placing before their members the aims and objects of the project, and pieads for its support on, principle." The motion was unanimously supported, and a committee was set up to consider a scheme. TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS. Mr. Sullivan moved tbe following suggestion from the Canterbury Engine Drivers* and Firemen's Union; — "That legislation be passed requiring drivers of motor cars, propelled and moved from place to place by tbeir own motive power, to be duly eertincateu and controlled by the Machinery Department, such drivers not to be under IS years of age." The mover said the numerous accidents in Canterbury caused by reckless •drivers who thought of no one but themselves, had raised much indignation. Several speakers endorsed the motion, which was unanimously passed.

A FAULTY SYSTEM. Mr. Sullivan (Canterbury), moved, and it was agreed:—

"Thai: in view of the fact that the rand for settlement system of this Dominion is creating a reactionary force in N.Z. politics, viz., the demand for the freehold by the Crown tenants, this Conference expresses an opinion that it is in the best interests of the New Zealand workers .that the system be abolished, and thai the land be. farmed directly by the State; the produce to be retailed in town and country depots, at a price that will cover cost of production and capital charges."

Mr. Sullivan said their opposition was owing to the fact that at present the system favoured the land speculators, and not the land cultivators. They i were, as their platform set out, in favour of a fair settlement system on re- \ newable lease. MINERS' KALF-SOLLPAY. ' Copies of Mr. Guinness' ___, now be- I fore the House, -for providing a halfholiday for coal and gold miners, were received from the introducer of the rnea- | sore, and considered by the conference. Mr. Savage said it provided a holiday, except in the ease of men on contracts, i and that effect would he to make contracting universal. Contracting was a bad thing for the workers. Mr. Long said the contracting system was responsible for the disintegration of one of the strongest labour bodies in New Zealand —the Waihi Miners' Union. Mr. Carey said jt would be a difficult thing to get a coal miner to accer>t,..anything but the contracting system; he preferred it to wages. It was decided to endorse the principle of a half-holiday. A VEXED QUESTSO?T. Mr. Carey moved, and it was agreed: '-That Government be urged to bring in a fair rent bill." PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION. On ihe motion of Mr. Alswieler, the following was adopted: — "That this Conference endorses the proportional system of representation, and asks the Government to bring in. a bill to that effect.':' STATE CONTROL. Wellington delegates moved, and it was resolved: — ."(a) That Government be urged to provide for the extension of State Labour Bureaus, so as to cover all branches of labour, and that private registry offices be abolished; (b) that in the best interests of New Zealand there should be a State connecting Link between the North and South Islands, and with that object we urge upon the Government the desirability of taking over the Steam ferry service between Lyttel ton and- Wellington; (c) that Government be urged to establish a State bank with tbe sole right' l of note issue." Mr. O'Byrne (Southland) moved, and it was decided:— • "That the Government be urged to establish State sawmills, timber and firewood yards in suitable localities, so as to cheapen building material and cause more work in the Dominion." The mover said the price of timber had gone up in price over 100 per cent in the last ten years. PLATFORM^FOR THE NEW PARTY. The special committee which, for a couple of days, has had under consideration the drawing-up of a modus oper-

andi for bringing into effect the newlyformed political organisation called the New Zealand Labour party, presented a vary carefully-prepared report this afternoon. Machinery was provided for properly launching the party, the principal -medium in the different districts being the Councils. Provision was made for holding preliminary meetings and a congress, and also for selecting Parliamentary candidates willing to support the platform. Candidates are to be chosen by ballot, but for the next general election sitting members who sign the Labour platform will not be required to go to the preliminary ballot. (Proceeding.)