FEDERATION OF LABOUR.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 899, 19 August 1910, Page 5

FEDERATION OF LABOUR.

"CONCESSIONS" OF THE YEAR. POLICY FOE FUTURE. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, formerly known as the Miners' Federation, was held at the Town Hall yesterday, the president, Mr. E. Seniple, being in the chair. Representatives of principal coal, gold, and other mining workers' unions throughout the Dominion were present. The president said that the executive were in favour of supplying an official report to the press, and not admitting the reporters. A resolution not to admit representatives' of the press was unanimously agreed to, an amendment to allow their attendance being withdrawn. According to the official report afterwards supplied, the president reviewed the working of the past year, and referred to the concessions won for the workers in the Green Island, Puponga, and Eunanga (State mine) disputes. He declared that it was a sheer waste of time to pass repeated resolutions at workers' conferences and transmit them to the Government. In future they should give less and less attention to political means of obtaining their rights, and perfect their organisation in the industrial lieid. The differences between the Federation of Labour and the organisation for federation, with which the name of

r. D. M'Laren, M.P., was associated, were next dealt with. Mr. Semple granted that the executive had made mistakes, but he. claimed that what ,had been done had been done conscientiously' with the-earnest desire to do what, was in the best interests of the organisation, .which was really the governing body, i'here were difficulties in the constitution ■ which would have to be amended, hoped that the delegates would put tlieir, bust efforts into the work. _ During the discussion on the chairman's remarks, Mr. Gillon (Reefton) interpreted the clause governing tho action of individual unions to mean that a union could act independently in. entering into negotiations with employers, but that only in the event of an agreement being entered into or a strike being contemplated was it necessary to first obtain the consent of the executive of the federation.

The president endorsed this interpretation.

Mr. Hollows (Green Island) urged that the federation should do more to help men who were victimised -by employers for carrying out tho directions of their individual unions. ■

The report was consideration of the balance-sheet being deferred. On the motion,. of Mr. Hickey,. seconded by Mr.- Armstrong, it was resolved to. telegraph fraternal greetings :to the Waterside Workers' Conference in' session at Lyttelton.

The conference gave a hearty welcome to Mr. Hughes, from the West Coast.The secretary then read a telegram from Mr. Scott Bennett, Socialist : organiser, Auckland, wishing the conference every success in' its work.'

Mr. Powgray, returning officer, declared the following members elected to the xeecutive:—President, Mr. P. C. Webb; vice-president, Mr.i H. Finch; secretary, Mr. J. Glover; organiser, Mr. .K. Sample. Mr. Webb than took the chair, and ad- : dressed the conference on the "aims .and objects" of the federation, and "appealed to members for their loyal support. A telegram wishing the conference success was read by Mr. Fox, of the West Coast. .'

The secretary announced the resignation of the treasurer, • which w&s. accepted, and, on the vote being taken, Mr. Dowgray was. elected ■ to the position. Mr. Hickey raised tho question of compensation, to the dependants, -who- were not domiciled in New Zealand, of menv bers injured. A long discussion took place on the present state of the workers compensation 'law, much indignation being expressed regardin gthe clauses which precluded compensation to the dependants referred to. It was resolved to hold a meeting of j workers. at His Majesty's Theatre-on Sunday evening next to pro-, test against the same. Messrs. Webb (president). Sample, Hickey, and Hogg were appointed a" committee to deal with this matter. ..-.-■■

Tho conference then adjourned until M o'clock' this morning.