MINERS' CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 335, 23 October 1908, Page 4

MINERS' CONFERENCE.

STATUTORY WACES WANTED. YENTILATION,'.O,F GOLDMINES. Tho Now Zealand' of Miners met again yesterday in the Town Hall. The president, Mr. Robert Semple, of Dunolly, was in tho chair.' Fixed Wages' and Hours. Mr. Armstrong (Wailii) moved: "That the federation -take steps and use their influence to obtain a statutory minimum rate of wages and statutory' hours of labour for mihcis working underground." The mover went on to say that there was no minimum rate of wages, for miners. If the Government wero anxious that tho labourer should get a fair remuneration, not only in mining' but in every other industry, tliey wero just as well qualified as the Arbitration Court to fix the rates of pay. If they introduced a statutory rate of wage's for all the industries of the Dominion, it would do' away with 90 per cent, of the sittings of tho Arbitration Court. Mr. Fry (Inarigahua) seconded. ~Mr. Dowgray (Granity) said that this was a step in tho right direction. It was one of the moves that had been urged so •strongly, in tho Old .Country. • \ Mr. Armstrong (Waihi) said that if eight hours was-looked upon as a fair day's work for' a man oil tho surface, then it was far too much for the worker who was underground. Mr. Manning (Waikato) pointed out that if a minimum, wage -was fixed it nearly always became the maximum. He would rather live in tho North on 10s. a day than ba paid 12s. oil the West Coast or in Otago. The conditions of living were so different. The motion was supported by several other delegates and carried. Ventilation. Mr.-Fry (Inangahua) moved: "That it bo compulsory to have ventilation in goldmines by fans,'and not as now by natural means or compressed air; also that tho quality of the air bo specified." This, he said, had been found, necessary, in. coal mines. Compressed air was unsatisfactory, and fans wero looked upon as the best apparatus. It was desirable also to have the quality specified, just as the standard of milk or whisky was kept up by Government regulation. Mr. Malloy (Inangahua) seconded. Mr. Newton (Grey Valley) pointed out that natural ventilation was not a good system at all, and lie did not believe in compressed'air. The motion was agreed to, after further discussion. f Arbitration Court Advocates. Mr. Malloy (Inangahua) moved:—"That tho federation enter a strong protest against any_ person appearing as an advocate in tho Arbitration Court who has taken his degree as a solicitor." Mr. Molloy said the practice was in direct opposition to the spirit of tho Act. A good deal of tho friction brought about in the Arbitration Court was due to tho introduction of too many law points. 'All legal gentlemen, the judge included, wero naturally influenced', by legal points. When the Arbitration Cpurt was cleared of such a state of things, they stood on equal ground witli tho other vside. • It. was never intended that any legal gentleman should appear before the Arbitration Court unless all parties were agreed. Mr. Foster (Denniston) thought the motion was altogether out or order. Until they were registered under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act they could not interfore. Mr. Malloy explained that ho had referred to those who had had the legal training, but did not .belong, to 4110 recognised legal profession. V Mr. Ilickey (Blackball) did not see how the federation could dictate to any man, asking him to changediis mode of living. Tho federation had 110 power at all. • The Chairman said that ono of their own class, should havo .been educated in law to stand up against the employers' representative. If this had been done, the workers would havo gained a great deal- more. In the future they would-probably havo to appoint such a man, trained in tho Labour laws. It was not possible for them to prevent a man from appearing at Court who had devoted his time in tho interests of either worker or employer. . .. Tho resolution Was'.'" not seconded, and lapsed. " Legal Adviser. The conference decided to retain Mr. P. J. O'Regan as legal adviser to tho affiliated unions, at a retaining fee of 50 guineas per annum. •> No Canvassing. Mr. Fry (Inangahua) moved:—"That any delegato attending conference who canvasses for office or knowingly allpws anyone to canvass on his behalf will bo debarred from holding office." 1 Mr. Dowgray (Granity) seconded, and tho motion was carried unanimously. Registration. Advice having been obtained from Mr. P. J. O'Rcmii on tho question of registration, Mr. Hickey moved to rescind tho previous resolution in order that their solicitor's recommendations might bo acted upon. Mr. O'Regan had stated that it would bo inadvisable to go to tho expense of a referendum. The conference unanimously agreed to register under the Trades Union Act. Next Conference. It was agreed that next conference be held in Wellington in tho first few weeks of the I next session of Parliament.