TRADES AND LABOR COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7524, 14 April 1890, Page 6

TRADES AND LABOR COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting was held at the Foresters , Hall on Saturday evening. There was a good attendance, and the President occupied the chair. Mr Allen, a representative of the Wellington Council, also attended. Correspondence w&9 received from the Treasurer of the New Zealand Shearers' Union relative .to the work of labor unions, and asking information thereon, also as to the formation of similar associacions elsewhere. The letter was referred to the Missionary Committee. A communication was read from the Secretary of the Wellington Council re Petone Woollen Mill dispnte, stating that pecuniary assistance had been generously gireh to that Council from all parts of the colony in the trouble.; that the whole affair had been, through the good offices of the Rev. J. Berry, referred to arbitration, and a .speedy settlement was therefore looked for. A copy of the rules compiled for Woollen Mills Societies was also forwarded, with the request that the Council would assist the mill operatives in Canterbury to form an Association similar to that now in operation in Wellington. The subject was discussed at length, and handed over to the Missionary Committee to take accton.

In reply to a question, it was stated that the difficulty between Messrs Whttcombe and Tombs and the Typographical Society had not been gone into, the firm in question not having afforded the deputation of the Council an opportunity to interview them, although a fortnight had elapsed since the subject had been brought under the notice of the Managing Director. Mr Allen, the Wellinaton delegate, addressed the Council as to the object of his mission in this province. He stated that, with his colleagues from Oamaru and Dunediu, he had visited the baking establishments of Christchurch and surrounding districts. It was found that journeymen bakers here were laboring under many, disadvantages, among which were included very long hours, poor remuneration, and a kind of " truck " system. The Masters' Association, had been interviewed, and apparently very little sympathy was to be obtained from some of the employers. They had been told that the " masters had the ball at their foot and intended to keep it, in spite of the operatives." ,

A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Allen and his colleagues, and the Secretary was instructed to write to the Master Bakers' Association.

It was decided to arrange' for a deputation to wait upon Mr Chapman with the object of coming to an amicable settlement of the difficulty between the Belfast Society and Berry and Co. A memorandum on the boy labor question was laid upon the table. It referred to the immense loss sustained by the colony through the undue preponderance of youthful labor in many trades, seeing that these lads, when about to become most valuable So the Scate, were obliged to leave New Zealand for ■ other places where employment could be obtained. 'This exodus, it was stated, was going on to an alarming extent at the present time. The memorandum also referred to the unfair competition between those employers who were disposed to conduct their establishments upon just and reasonable conditions, and those who were taking every opportunity to employ none tout boys, turnovers and other miser-ably-paid operatives.. It suggested, upon these grounds, legislative interference) in the shape of an enactment to encourage the permanent settlement of artisans in the colony, and to stop as far as possible the grave leakage or population now so prevalent. The memo, was referred to the Printing Committee, with the view of publication and circulation among Societies. •■■ ' ■ ■ • • ' ■ : :::

The Parliamentary Committee reported upon the subject of testimonials to Factory Inspectors by employers of labor to the following effect:—That the Council bring before the Councils of Wellington, Auckland,' and Dunedin the matter of testimonials to officers who are appointed to carry put the provisions of the Factory Act with,the object of taking united action to stop the evils complained of by tSe Tailors' Union; also that these Inspectors be removed from police supervision for the future.

After passing accounts for payment, the meeting adjourned.