LABOUR FEDERATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 245, 4 July 1918, Page 7

LABOUR FEDERATION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

REMITS DEALT WITH

Hie annual cimfcrem-e of the United ioduralion <i| Labour was opened in tho! Esperanto Jln]|, J.aniblon lUiay, yestiT-! day morning. Mr. Ji. .1. Howard, of] (.'lu-istchurcli, iiiilional president of the I federation, oceupiod the choir, l'ollowI'lß is ii lull list ol' the. delegates attending toguthcr will! l.ho bodies which they represent:-(Jlirintchurch Tiviloresses, Mr. J-. If. Cooke jtml Miss A. liobinson; Aiickliiml Carpenters and Joiners, Mr. T. Uloodworth; Auckland District Council, itr. I!. Martin; Auckland Coaciiworkers, Mr. ]!. Martin;- Anekland Brewery EmpJovces, Mr. M. J. Savage; Canterbury District Council, Mr. U'. Worrall; Otiigo Aletal Workers' Assistants, Mr. J. D. Smith; Otaao (ienoral Labquroi-s, Mr.' ]f. Kendall; Auckland Engineers, Jlr. H. Itigby; Dunedin

Soft Goods Employees, Hon. j. T. Paul; Auckland Grocers, Mr. ,1. H. Mortcnsen; Otago .District Council, Hon. ,1. T. Paul; Christcluirch Tramwnys, Mr. ,T. Wilson; Cniilei'liiiry Timlir-r Workers, Mr. J. Foster; Christchiuvh Operative Tlootinakens, 3lr. J. Ciulliford: Aucklimil Painters, Mr. H. L. Horning; • 'lirislchurch Puiniturc Trade AYorkers, Mr. J. ,T. HyiH'S; Dunedin Tailorosses and Shirt-niakern, Miss J. Huncemin; Auckland Bootmakers, Jlr. \V. Gilbert; Dunedin Boltlcr.i, 3[r. S. Boreham: Aucldand A.S.E., JLr. H. Barber; Christchurch J'ainteTS, M"r. i'. Cornwall; Clmstchurch Brewers, Sir. B. AVyckcs; Christchurch Iron and Brass Mouhhlrs, Mr. A. Bay: Christchurch Labourers; Messrs. H. Worrall and E. ,T. Howard; Christchurch A.S.E., Sir. J. Hatherslcy. Mr. Howard formally welcomed the I delegates.

The annual report of the executive stated that matters dealt With at the last confeiencs were duly placed before tho Government, both by means of deputation immediately after the conferonce and by correspondence .subsequently. "Dunn;; the year mnny efforts were niiido to induce the Government to givo consideration to vital matters, but, wo regret to state, our efforts have, had little ellcct, and we consider the, time has arrived when tho Inborn , organisations of New Zealand should seriously consider whether it would not be hotter l<> co-iua making representations to tho Government and concentrate nil our energies to the work of organising for the purpose of ousling the Government from office and securing [fas reins of olfico ourselves. With this end in view wo suggest that the question'of organising bo given pride of place at thjs conferonce, as wo must all admit that if tho workers are thoroughly organised on tho industrial field the political situation will immediately reflect the result. Tho workers of New Zealand have yet to learn that n solid united national organisation of workers is essential to •tlieii' welfare, and the laclc of support of tho national body by a majority ot tho trades unions* in New Zealand is re(lectcl in tho indifference of the Government to the legitimate demands of Labour. , '

The report contains a strong protest against the prolongation of Parliament, and details the receptions arranged for those who h.ul been imprisoned as_ a result: of. the "free, speech suppression | laws." Tlie question of allowing Mr. Scrapie, of tho Miners' Federation, to organiso on behalf of the United Federation of Labour, a portion of tiie salary to be paid by tho latter body, was referred to the conference. Rofeniug to tho coal minors, it is stated that the Coal Minors' Federation had decided to form an amalgamation with Ihn gold ii ml quartz miners, thus bringing into being a wider and stronger body. Tho final prelum touched upon has to do with Samoa, and it is staled that the proposal that (.he question regarding its retention or nthcrwiso should he left entirely to tho Peace Conference was endorsed by fl'J per cent, of tlie unions and district councils which replied to a. communication sent out. Eoth the report and the linlmiee-sheftt wero adopted. The conference, endorsed I lie. policy ot tho Educational Institute in regard lo educational matters. The conference adopted the following remits:— "That, capitation lo the National Executive from the district tomiciln under clause 12 .be reduced lo :id. per lneinbor."—(Auckland District Council.) "Thnt tho advisability of reducing the capitation to tlie United Fern ration of Labour from aflilintc-d union; be considered by conference."—(Auckland Coacliworkers' Union.) "That tho constitution ol the lederatioii ba amended to provide that representation at Iho annual conference shall bo confined to district councils and trade federations, and that, only such union's as nro specified in clause t bo entitled to separate 'representation; representation for all bodies to be one delegate for each 1(100 members or fraction of WOO."—

(Otapto Labour Council.) ''That all communications mini the National Executive to the affiliated unions be sent through (he di<iriot councils."—(Auckland District Council.) . "Thai, with a view to Ih;' establishment of universal unionism, ci--trict councils he urged to request niti< r:- lo inaugurate it half-yearly prepaid nmtribiitiou card (such card lo be issued ul u reduced rate), together with a system of transfer payments between unions, so that a unionist may change his occupation without payment of entrance fee, and pay his subscription to Ihn union under whoso award ho is working. The National Executive to drill I. a .scheme for submission to the district: councils for approval."—(Olugo Labour Council.)

"That conference shall cull u meeting of (he executives of tho A.I.'.C, Miners' Federation, Transport 'WorkarV Federation, and tbc United Federation of Labcur lo consider a basis on which it would be possible to attain national unity for thoso bodies."—(O'tago Labour Council.)

"That the Otaijo branch of Iho AiniilSiiuintcd Society of Carpenters and Joiners ii'trcoiF.nieiid to tlie. conference that Liu , } , instruct ihc incoming executive to rake steps to call conference of the executive committees of tho different federations, with a view to endeavuuriiiL' to find si frtltilion of the difncuU.ifvi which arc prevcnl.itig the Mi new' Federation; t.he Wiucroidc Workers' Federation, and the United Federation of Labour from becoming n united hody."—(Otago branch Amalgamated Society Carpenters and Joiners.)

"Thai the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act; bo amended to provide for tho ircgistriition of (he general rules of trade unions, including benefit rules."—(Otago Labour Council.) ''That the Workers' Compensation Actbo amended so that compensation to workers shall bn recognised and paid from tlm date of accident, thereby preventing the repudiation of compensation for six days."—(Auckland Operative Bakers' and Pastrycooks' Union.)

"That this conference deplores tho action of Iho Cifli'ornment in twice extending tho lift) of Parliament, and, in view of (ho serious misgovcirnmpnt of the country and the growing discontent of the people, declares that a general election should he held this year."—(Olago Labour Council.)

"That thn United Federation of Labour deplores the opposition of the Government to (he necessary overdue amendments of tho Labour laws, and make special endeavours (o have our industrial legislation amended in the direction i,f making bettor provision for the protection of tho workers."—(Otago Labour Council.) "That tho Shops and Offices Act be amouded to provide that d 8 hours per week shall constitute Iho period during which shops shall remain open. That; we allirm tho desirability of a universal Saturday half-holiday, to be observed whether any oilier holiday falls during (ho week or not. That oliui.se 5 of Shops

and Otlices Act, which provides -ior_ lnt« triidiii , ,' on Christmas and New Vrnr'n Eve, lie eliminated."—(Canterbury l.iroccrs' Assistants' Union.)

"Amemlmoiit of factories Act, re tiycrlimc and payiuont nf loa inmißy: Thnt tin . Act be amended to provide (lint all cnipldvi'ps n'qiiii'Cil to work ovcrlime will !),• paid len money, '.vhcibrr i.irvloir; l«lici' nf the iiilesiiifiii Up nor]: (ncrlinii! bus boon j;iveii tu the worker b.v tlio omploycr or not. That not less Hum Is. hu allowed each worker an tea money. That aaid tea money shall bo paid upon tho day that ovortiino ie to ba Trorked, t

and at; leant, one hour. Ixluru Iho Jiieal time."— (Auckland Tailors' Union.) "That coiilcronui reijuuiits the Governiiient to iintitHtt) sin investigation into this conditions i>l Vlio tailoring l.radi; awiird in relation d>: (1) Tho reduction of wages in tho northern industrial district; (:!) Uii) dilution of labour by tho employment; of lour female workers to caeli "male worker.—(Auckland Tailors' Union.) "That conference, impress upon the. Government, lliu serious need for investigation into the methods employed by the niiiinifiic-liirers in fixing the price of articles by which workers in factories hnvo their i-iu-nings calculated. Also the system of apprenticeship in factories, which imposes years of apprenticeship to uci|iiir<! a kiiowlcdjio' which is altainable. in a few months, thereby giv ing. the employer a qualified worker at apprentice wages, which wage tends to fix tin) prices by which the earnings of iliii adult workers are calculated, thus ueer-ssilating an enormous .speeding n» by the more, highly-paid adult workers. , ' --(Auckland Tailors' I'njon.) The principle of the following remit was affirmed, but it was decided that the National Executive should use its own discretion oil u mutter of vital importanew: "That this union, ie of opin 'ill that an open congress is not advisable, and that the correct and legitimate wav U> niako labour decisions itf through au<! by tho annual conference of the Uml"d Federation of Labour."-(Otago Metni workers' Assistants' Union.) The following was referred to the poli•ticnl conference: "That the Governm»nt bo reiinested to establish a compuisory Kick, accident, unemployment and nictality scheme that will cover all the workers in New Zealand, the cost to be. borne by the primary and secondary industries of the eountry."-Cliristcluirch Furniture Trade.) Tho following remit was rejected:— "That tlie conference at its annual meetin July deal with the question of appointing an organiser for tho whole ot the Dominion."—(Wes'tport General J.abourors' and Mechanics Union.) Tho following remit was slso lost:— "T'liat this con'ioreiico confirm tho policy of coDipulfory unionism, and that the United federation of Lalwur take such steps ns arc deemed necessary to havo coiiipulsory unionism made statute law. —(Otiigo Labour Council.) The Political Conference lias referred to it the. following remit—"That all wealth over a re:i«innb:le income bo conscripted."—(Napier Branch Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners.) Tho following remits were held over:— "In view of the delay and decision giveu by the Arbitration Court-in the Auckland retail soft goods employees' application for an award, the Industrial C-oncihation and Arbitration Act bo amended'to compel the Court to grant-'mi award to every properly-constituted vniflii making an application for an award."—(Auckland .I'aintara' Union.) . "That the conference, press for an amendment to the Arbitration Act, so that awards will lie binding en all parties connected with ony industry for which an award has been made."—(Napier Branch Amalgamated Society of Cnrpenrers and Joinois.) "That tho attention of conference be. drawn to Die decision of the. Arbitration (lourt in the Auckland Soft floods Employees' Union, with a view to steps being taken to rectify such a-position." —(Auckland District Council.! Mr. T. lilooilworth (Auckland) was elected lialionul president, 31 r. IT. lloriniiff (Auckland) was elected nalioniil vice-president, and Mr. Hiram Hunter fi'liriFlchurch) whs re-elected-■ national secretory and treasurer. R was decided that thc'nnlionnl executive hliwild bn lociiled at Auckland for the ensuing year.