DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9024, 9 February 1895, Page 8

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

(press association tklegßam.) .-. WELLINGTON, February 8. A deputation from the Trades Couiioil interviewed the, Premier po several questions. They pointed out the depression among boiler-makers, and said of thirty-Qvo men on tho books of the Boilor-niakere' Union only two were ie employment.! They attributed this in a large measure to machinery being- imported f reie; of duty. Thby-aektid fchita clauad ehouid'be inserted io Government contracts that the contractors should pay the ruling rate of 'wages. The question of boy labour too was a sore point, and the deputation declared that the Trade and Labour Counoils'in the colony intended to make this a burning question at the next election. What they wanted was a Masters and Apprentices Ace. Mr Sertdon, replying, said New Zealand was more of -an agricultural than a manufacturing colony, and if there was in the market a glrit of certain artisans then the latter must look for some other sort of employment;, and it would not bo fair that tho Government should have to provide for them. He denied that tho depression in the.class of trade under notice was due to machinery being free from duty. The Government could not, he said, be expected to legislate only for one class, They had the colony to look 10. As to putting the clause re wages into Government contracts, he said thero would be a difficulty in the way, and he thought it would not be fair. All the Government could ask was /that the work should be carried, out efficiently and in the terms of the specification; As to boy labour, he reminded the deputation they must not ask for too much. A good deal of labour legislation had been done during the last few years, and if it wua to go ou there might bo a reaction detrimental to the interests of ■ the: men themielvea. He was prepared to hear. the. demands of the men, and if compatible with the interests of the colony the Government would consider the matter. The co-oporativa works, he said, such as carpenteriug, &c, bad been so successful that the Government, was thinking of trying the system in connection with* bridge building. ' On the queatiou of * the tariff ho could only refer the deputation to the Tariff Commission now , sitting.