SAWMILL WORKERS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14326, 11 April 1912, Page 5

SAWMILL WORKERS.

'PIIKS.. ASSOCIATION TEL-CHAM. 1 WELLINGTON, April 10. The sawmill and timber workers' conference, decided to instruct the in-com-ing executive to take immediate steps to register the Federation under the Conciliation and .Arbitration Act. It was also resolved to urge Government to carry out the work of re-afforesta-tion.

The Unity proposals came before the Conference to-day. when Professor W. T. Mills. Mr E." Tregear, and Mr 1). McLaren. ox-M.P., addressed the delegates.

Mr McLaren favourably commented on tin' spirit shown by the members <>f the I'nit.v Conference. AYitli th.* backing of all ihe workers ol the country, they would quickly havo a united Labour Party. The mists were being cleared away, and be relieved that excellent progress would now he made.

Mr E. Tregear said that in all his experience he had encountered no scheme so perfect, so flexible, aud so solid, as the Unity proposals of Professor Mills. He had nothing but- praise for the scheme.

The Federation of Labour point of view was put before tho delegates by Mr P. C Webb, who said the Arbitra-

tion Act was of no value to the workers. An organisation of the wageearners was needed in New Zealand undergone, great federation. (So far as the Unity proposals were concerned, I union between farmers, doctors, bankers, and professional men, and miners and timber workers was going to result in a milk and water policy. No freedom would come by toadying to the middle class. He did not think there was going to be much unity. The middle class, as a class, had * never taken tho side of the workers.. His friends were organising for the purpose of abolishing tho system of private property and to build up such an organisation as would givo to the wealth producers .the_ value of their labour. Organising for any other purpose than Socialism was of no use, and it was a wa.sto of time worrying as to whether lit was revolutionary or not.