TIMBER WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 241, 29 June 1918, Page 12

TIMBER WORKERS

CONFERENCE CONCLUDED REMITS ADOPTED ' The annunl conference of the Timber Workers' Federation wns resumed nt the Beehive Chambers at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, Mr. G. Wilkinson presiding. All the delegates were present. Mr. T. O'Byrne, Southland, moved: "That the Government be urged to take the nccessary nteps to nationalise the liquor ' industry." lie contended that the elimination of priwife enterprise would he beneficial, andjas labour was in favour of State control of oilier lines of industry, it must of necessity be consistent support this proposal. With the abolition of private enterprise, better service would bo rendered' to the community at less cost than was now the case. Those who were in favour of Prohibition should also support Stale control, as a step towards the total abolition of the liquor traffic. Air. J, Foster ' (Canterbury) seconded the motion. ifr. Phelan (Auckland) moved that the motion be altered to read: "That this conference allirms the principle of Slate control "of tho liquor industry." He was not sure that it was wise to ask tho present Government to take control of this industry, as it- appeared to have neiher Ihe inclination nor tho abilily to deal will .other questions'of vital importance to the people's welfare, tf a Labour Government were in power he would have no hesitation in urging it to take over tho industry. ill'. H. Hunter (Canterbury) seconded Mr. l'lielan's amendment. He also was not enamoured of control as exercised by tho present Government, and he had recently had a drastic experience of its methods in that respect." The country ivas being dominated by a v number of individuals who had no authority iiom tho people. It would be better ' policy to organise the forces of Labour until they were able to take over the reins of government. ilr. J. Head (Wellington) favoured thu nationalisation of the liquor traliic. tie said that where hotels had been controlled by the State, in England and elsewhere, the social side had been fostered apart from the salo of liquor, which was discouraged, and tho sale of tea ami ether non-intoxicating beverages encouraged. Accommodation wiu essential lit country districts, and it was the duty of the State to provide sucli places wiiero working men in need of a place (o spend Uteir evenings could do so without being induced or tempted to drink, and thus lower their physical and moral fibre. Ihe amendment was carried. Ilr. I'helan, .Auckland, moved: "That the Government be requested to assume control of the white pine industry." He stated that: most o ftlie white pino timber in New Zealand had been bought up by speculators, who would force up the pricos to th& detriment of tho dairying industry, which was relying on a supply of white piue for butter boxes. When speculation bec.nne a menace to* any industry everyone was going to suffer," and in. tho final analysis it was 'the consumer who had to foot the bill. Therefore the Government should step in and prevent such exploitation. • White pine should be reserved for dairying purposes as tbp supply was .now very limited, and other timber substituted for the white pine wherever possible, Mr. J. 'Read seconded tho motion, which was carried. Tho following resolutions in connection with the above were also adopted on Jlr. Phelan's motion:— "That experiments be made with a view to finding a suitable substitute for white pine for butter boxes." "That tho Government exercise supervision over the milling of white pine to prevent the wasto of the smaller timber which was now taking place." / "That buttr boxes and eheeso and glaxo crates to stauda.rdised." Mr. O'Byrne moved the adoption of Southland remit No. 2: "That this conference deplores the failure of the Government to take adequate steps to reduce the cost of living." He said that tho Government had failed miserably to deal with this question.' A .Board of Trade had been appointed, but it seemed to have its hambrtied, as it had made certain recommendations which apparently had been ignored by the Government. Even the' Board of Trade had been responsible for unduly increasing prices, as in Invercargill bread had advanced in a greater proportion than other centres owing to the board's notion. The Queensland Labour Government had proved conclusively that when a jGovernment was sincere ill its ellorts lo rcduco the coat of commodities it could do so very effectively. Mr. Read seconded the motion, which was carried, On Mr. Phelan's motion, Auckland's remit JJo. 9 was adopted: "That the tiin« has Arrived when Cabinet should take into serious consideration the question of rolen-sing all prisoners sontenced for sedition." It was resolved: "That the delegates bo instructed to inform their unions that conference has decided that a system of yearly tickets be adopted, pay'able in quarterly, half-yearly or annual payments in advance, and also that all" linions • adopt a uniform entrance fee and contributions." Auckland remit No. 10 was adopted as follows: "That this conference enters its emphatic protest against the decision of the Arbitration Court in refusing an award in the Auckland soft goods pmploj-ees' disputo." Southland remit No. 4 was adopted*. "That this conference urges all workers to organise politically as well as industrially, so as to be well prepared in the event of a general election." Southland remit No. 5 was redrafted as follows, and adopted on the motion of Messrs Phelan-and Hunter: "That the Arbitration Court be abolished, and that councils of conciliation be given the power to make their decisions into awards and be vested with all the powers now conferred upon the Arbitration Court. That before an award is made the prices of goods be ascertained, and the cost of services rendered by commercial enterprises by a board of experts appointed for that purpose. The latter to act in conjunction with and under the direction of the councils of conciliation. When an award is made prices shall also be regulated in a similar manner, and for the same period as wages." ~ A motion expressing the conference's appreciation of the work performed by the eiecutive at Cliristchurch during the past year, was cartied. It wao resolved that the executive bo located at Cliristchurch for a further term, and the time and place of next conference be left to its discretion. A voto of thanks was passed to the past president, ilr. T. O'Byrne, for hia valuable work during the year, also to the Southland union for its generosity in allowing liim leave of absence to organise the West Coast timber workers, which he had successfully accomplished. Votes of thanks were recorded to the Wellington union for its hospitality to tho visiting delegates, and to the chairman of the conference, and conference concluded at 4.30 p.m. Arrangements have been made for the delegates to place Ihe decisions of conference before the 'Ministry at 10.30 I thjs morning.'