ORGANISATION OF 'LABOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 147, 21 June 1917, Page 4

ORGANISATION OF 'LABOUR.

AUCKXAND CONFERENCE OPENED. The conference of delegates from the - various trades unions of Auckland was ' opened last evening. There were 440 delegates present. Mr. George Davis, secretary of the Drivers' Union, was elected to the chair, and Mr. Wesley E. Richards, secretary of the General Labourers' Union, was appointed secretary. The Press was not admitted. The chairman opened the conference by explaining the circular which called the conference. He said it was the aim . of the Trades Hall Trust, of which he . was chairman, to solidify the forces of . I labour. This had been considered as necessary because of the aggression of monopolies, trusts and combines. These I raised the prices of commodities too 3 1 high, and seemed to be combining for ' I the purpose of exploiting cheap female 3 and coolie labour, as the recent shipping J ! fusion had suggested. ■ ■ The meeting then discussed the admission of other bodies, and resolved that, I while industrial matters were being j dealt with ».ades union delegates only were to be admitted. The remainder of the evening was - occupied with routine and preparatory ! work, suggestions being received for the i future conduct of the congress. The . gathering, which is expected to continue . for the greater part of a week, was then till 7,45 o'clock this evening.