INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 250, 21 October 1919, Page 9

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE.

PEACE TREATY PROPOSAL. I IS NEW ZEALAND TO BE REPRESENTED? One of the most interesting features of the Peace Treaty from the point of view of organised Labour is the proposal to establish an International Labour Office, and to hold an International Labour Conference once a year. The first such Conference is to meet in Washington on October 2i). The Federation of Labour wired to the Premier (Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) at the end of September asking what'"the Government proposed with respect to the Conference, but, receiving no reply to the first wire, another was sent, to which Mr. Massey replied on October 4: — "Peace Treaty provides for the setting up of a permanent organisation de-aling with Labour, consisting of (1) a general conference of representatives of members of the League of Nations, meeting at least once a year, and (-> an International Labour Otliee hereafter to be established at the seat of the League. The first meeting of the annual conference is to be held at Washington 29th October, and the United Slates Government has issued invitations to each of the members of the League of Nations to send its delegates to attend. New Zealand, a-s a member of the League, is entitled to representation at the conference, but no arrangements have so far been made, and no wishes have been expressed to the Government by any of the Labour organisations throughout the Dominion." The Federation sent a copy of this wire to Mr. 11. E. Holland, M.P. (chairman of the Parliamentary Labour party ), asking him to inquire further into the matter. He asked a question in the House on October 0, and the Premier replied that he would make sure what the position was and let Mr. Holland know, Mr. T. Kloodwnrtb (president of the Federation) stated to a "Star" reporter to-day that Mr. Maesey had not communicated further with the Federation. Mr. Bloodworth said he could not understand the latter part of Mr. Masspy's wire, wherein he stated that no wishes have been expressed to the Government by any of the Labour organisations throughout the Dominion. It must be remembered, said Mr. Bloodworth, that Mr. Massey was -a. delegate to the Peace Conference, and he is also Minister of Labour. The Labour organisations could not very well express wishes in the matter, as they did not know what the position was. Ho thought the Minister of Labour should have etated fully the position to the organisations as early as he could after his return, and those organisations would then have been able to consider the matter. As it was the Federation had inquired by telegram, and through Mr. Holland in the House, and had got no very definite answer. They had been informed through the Press that other countries had appointed delegates. Asked if organised Labour in New- Zealand desired to send a delegate. Mr. Bloodworth said he did not know, as no views had been expreseed on that matter by the Federation or any other Labour body. So far as he was aware all the Federation wanted was that Labour should be given an opportunity to say whether it would be represented or not. Th<> Premier's action seemed to indicate that he was not anxious for Labour to be given that opportunity. »